The first and the second discourses together with the replies to critics and the essay on the origin of languages

It contains the first and the second discourse of Rousseau. The first discourse ("*Discourse on the Arts and Sciences*") is Rosseau's answer to the question posed by the Academy of Dijon *Has the restoration of the science and arts tended to purify morals?*. It is divided in two main parts. The first part's thesis is that our souls have been corrupted in proportion to the advancement of our arts and sciences to perfection. The second part is an analysis of science and arts in themselves to explain the contradiction between virtues and enlightenment. [Pending completion] Rousseau's major early writings are collected for the 1st time in a single English-language volume. He here lays the foundations for his great constructive works, Of the Social Contract & Emile , as he explores a wide range of problems of interest to students in fields as diverse as philosophy, political theory, anthropology, intellectual history, linguistics & literary theory. Discourse On The Sciences And Arts, Or, First Discourse -- Discourse On Inequality, Or, Second Discourse -- Essay On The Origin Of Languages. Jean-jacques Rousseau ; Edited, Translated, And Annotated By Victor Gourevitch. Originally Published: New York : Perennial Library, C1986. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.