Discours sur les sciences et les arts / Abhandlung über die Wissenschaften und die Künste

Isn't human intelligence and creativity something good? Do they not bring progress to humanity in all areas? Or is humanity merely a disruptive factor in the world? Over 250 years ago, Rousseau first expressed this suspicion in his famous speech, thus marking the beginning of modern cultural pessimism. The European Enlightenment promoted the belief in modern progress, but Rousseau took on the role of its bad conscience. The complete new translation provides an accurate commentary and a helpful afterword in addition to the original French text.