Letter to d'Alembert on the Theatre

Summary

In the book «Letter to d'Alembert on the Theatre», Jean-Jacques Rousseau critiques the idea of establishing a theater in Geneva, as proposed by d'Alembert. Rousseau argues that theatrical spectacles corrupt morals and undermine the moral foundations of society. He believes that theater promotes vice and distracts people from more important social and personal responsibilities. Rousseau also emphasizes that true art should contribute to moral education and the betterment of society, rather than merely entertain it. The book is a profound philosophical reflection on the role of art and its impact on public morality.