Rousseau's God

Theology, Religion, and the Natural Goodness of Man

John T. Scott

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English

Chicago University Press
22 June 2023

Philosophy

A landmark study of Rousseau’s theological and religious thought.

John T. Scott offers a comprehensive interpretation of Rousseau’s theological and religious thought, both in its own right and in relation to Rousseau’s broader oeuvre. In chapters focused on different key writings, Scott reveals recurrent themes in Rousseau’s views on the subject and traces their evolution over time. He shows that two concepts—truth and utility—are integral to Rousseau’s writings on religion. Doing so helps to explain some of Rousseau’s disagreements with his contemporaries: their different views on religion and theology stem from different understandings of human nature and the proper role of science in human life. Rousseau emphasizes not just what is true, but also what is useful—psychologically, morally, and politically—for human beings. Comprehensive and nuanced, Rousseau’s God is vital to understanding key categories of Rousseau’s thought.

By: John T. Scott
Imprint: Chicago University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 1
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 10mm
Weight: 367g
ISBN: 9780226825502
ISBN 10: 0226825507
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 22 June 2023
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John T. Scott is distinguished professor of political science at the University of California, Davis. He is the author most recently of Rousseau's Reader: Strategies of Persuasion and Education, also published by the University of Chicago Press.

Reviews for Rousseau's God: Theology, Religion, and the Natural Goodness of Man

Rousseau's God considers an important question in the manner it deserves: thoroughly. Scott succeeds in reconstructing the entire complex edifice of Rousseau's theology and relating it to the broader and even more complex context of Rousseau's thought as a whole. This is a remarkable achievement and a major contribution to understanding Rousseau. -- Clifford Orwin | University of Toronto Rousseau's God is an original and wide-ranging examination of Rousseau's theological and religious writings. John Scott draws fertile connections to other key concepts in Rousseau's broader project and pulls together multiple analytical threads into an exceptionally lucid and comprehensive interpretation that shows just how deeply the distinction between truth and utility permeates Rousseau's treatment of religion (both doctrine and practice) throughout his works. -- Denise Schaeffer | College of the Holy Cross