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

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.

Author: John T. Scott
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 04/18/2023
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.89lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.62d
ISBN13: 9780226825502
ISBN10: 0226825507
BISAC Categories:
- Philosophy | Political
- Political Science | History & Theory | General
- Religion | Philosophy

About the Author
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.