Public Vision, Private Lives: Rousseau, Religion, and 21St-Century Democracy - Couverture rigide

Cladis, Mark S.

 
9780195125542: Public Vision, Private Lives: Rousseau, Religion, and 21St-Century Democracy
Couverture rigide
ISBN 10 : 0195125541 ISBN 13 : 9780195125542
Editeur : Oxford University Press Inc, 2003

Synopsis

In this elegantly written book, Mark S. Cladis invites us to reflect on the nature and place of the public and private in the work of Rousseau and, more generally, in democratic society. The tension between the hopes and desires of the individual and the requirements of a shared public life were at the heart, or the knot, of Rousseau's life and thought. Cladis skillfully leads the reader on an exploration of the conflicting claims with which Rousseau wrestled - prerogatives and obligations to self, friends, family, vocation, civic life, and to humanity. At the juncture of diverse theological and secular traditions, Rousseau forged a vision of human happiness found not exclusively in the public or private, but in a complex combination of the two.
Ultimately, however, Public Vision, Private Lives narrates a tragic tale. Placing Rousseau at the crossroads of Enlightenment optimism and Augustinian pessimism, Cladis elucidates Rousseau's uncomfortable, double vision. In one direction, Rousseau beheld humans able to transform their societies humanely; in the other, he perceived humans destined for immense suffering unless they dodge social involvement. At this awkward juncture, Rousseau sought to remind us of both our responsibility for ourselves and our powerlessness to radically transform ourselves.
In Part I, Cladis employs the Garden-Fall myth to narrate Rousseau's rather dismal account of the human journey into social life. Yet contrary to most interpreters of Rousseau, Cladis maintains that if we categorically identify the natural with the good and the social with evil, we fail to do justice to Rousseau's provocative account of our joy and sorrow in solitude and community. Part II explores the limits and possibilities of Rousseau's three paths to partial redemption - the public path (the reformed society), the private path (the escape into solitude), and the tense, middle way between them.
Throughout this study, Cladis listens closely to the religious pitch in Rousseau's voice. He convincingly shows that Rousseau, when attempting to portray the most characteristic aspects of the public and private, reached for a religious vocabulary. Honouring both love of self and love of that which is larger than the self - these twin poles, with all the tension between them - mark Rousseau's work, vision, and challenge - the challenge of 21st century democracy.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Présentation de l'éditeur

In this elegantly written book, Mark S. Cladis invites us to reflect on the nature and place of the public and private in the work of Rousseau and, more generally, in democratic society. The tension between the hopes and desires of the individual and the requirements of a shared public life were at the heart, or the knot, of Rousseau's life and thought. Cladis skillfully leads the reader on an exploration of the conflicting claims with which Rousseau wrestled - prerogatives and obligations to self, friends, family, vocation, civic life, and to humanity. At the juncture of diverse theological and secular traditions, Rousseau forged a vision of human happiness found not exclusively in the public or private, but in a complex combination of the two. Ultimately, however, Public Vision, Private Lives narrates a tragic tale. Placing Rousseau at the crossroads of Enlightenment optimism and Augustinian pessimism, Cladis elucidates Rousseau's uncomfortable, double vision. In one direction, Rousseau beheld humans able to transform their societies humanely; in the other, he perceived humans destined for immense suffering unless they dodge social involvement. At this awkward juncture, Rousseau sought to remind us of both our responsibility for ourselves and our powerlessness to radically transform ourselves. In Part I, Cladis employs the Garden-Fall myth to narrate Rousseau's rather dismal account of the human journey into social life. Yet contrary to most interpreters of Rousseau, Cladis maintains that if we categorically identify the natural with the good and the social with evil, we fail to do justice to Rousseau's provocative account of our joy and sorrow in solitude and community. Part II explores the limits and possibilities of Rousseau's three paths to partial redemption - the public path (the reformed society), the private path (the escape into solitude), and the tense, middle way between them. Throughout this study, Cladis listens closely to the religious pitch in Rousseau's voice. He convincingly shows that Rousseau, when attempting to portray the most characteristic aspects of the public and private, reached for a religious vocabulary. Honouring both love of self and love of that which is larger than the self - these twin poles, with all the tension between them - mark Rousseau's work, vision, and challenge - the challenge of 21st century democracy.

Revue de presse

Elegantly organized and engagingly written, serving at once as a window into the origins of modernity and as a mirror of our present condition. . Highly Recommended. (Choice)

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
Oxford University Press Inc
Date d'édition
2003
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0195125541
ISBN 13 
9780195125542
Reliure
Relié
Nombre de pages
320
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie
ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it

Via Verdi, 8
Assago Milano
20090
Italie

Autres éditions populaires du même titre

9780231139694: Public Vision, Private Lives: Rousseau, Religion, And 21st-Century Democracy

Edition présentée

ISBN 10 :  0231139691 ISBN 13 :  9780231139694
Editeur : Columbia University Press, 2006
Couverture souple