Discourse on the Sciences and Arts

Book Review

«Discourse on the Sciences and Arts» by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is one of the most significant works of the Enlightenment era. In this essay, Rousseau argues that progress in sciences and arts not only fails to improve morals but rather leads to their decline. He criticizes the society of his time for its superficiality and hypocrisy, asserting that true virtue and happiness lie in simplicity and naturalness. Critics note that Rousseau challenges conventional views on progress and civilization, offering a profound and provocative analysis of the moral consequences of cultural development. His work sparks discussions and debates but is consistently recognized as important in the context of 18th-century philosophical thought. Rousseau masterfully uses rhetoric and argumentation to persuade the reader of his views, making his essay not only a philosophical treatise but also a high-level literary work.