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Fort d'un amour passionné - mais platonique - pour la comtesse d'Houdetot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau rédige six lettres dans lesquelles, tel un professeur de vertu, il délivre une invitation à la sagesse.
81 pages, Pocket Book
Published April 6, 2017
About the author
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
4,894 books3,089 followersGenevan philosopher and writer Jean Jacques Rousseau held that society usually corrupts the essentially good individual; his works include
The Social Contract
and
Émile
(both 1762).
This important figure in the history contributed to political and moral psychology and influenced later thinkers. Own firmly negative view saw the post-hoc rationalizers of self-interest, apologists for various forms of tyranny, as playing a role in the modern alienation from natural impulse of humanity to compassion. The concern to find a way of preserving human freedom in a world of increasingly dependence for the satisfaction of their needs dominates work. This concerns a material dimension and a more important psychological dimensions. Rousseau a fact that in the modern world, humans come to derive their very sense of self from the opinions as corrosive of freedom and destructive of authenticity. In maturity, he principally explores the first political route, aimed at constructing institutions that allow for the co-existence of equal sovereign citizens in a community; the second route to achieving and protecting freedom, a project for child development and education, fosters autonomy and avoids the development of the most destructive forms of self-interest. Rousseau thinks or the possible co-existence of humans in relations of equality and freedom despite his consistent and overwhelming pessimism that humanity will escape from a dystopia of alienation, oppression, and unfreedom. In addition to contributions, Rousseau acted as a composer, a music theorist, the pioneer of modern autobiography, a novelist, and a botanist. Appreciation of the wonders of nature and his stress on the importance of emotion made Rousseau an influence on and anticipator of the romantic movement. To a very large extent, the interests and concerns that mark his work also inform these other activities, and contributions of Rousseau in ostensibly other fields often serve to illuminate his commitments and arguments.
This important figure in the history contributed to political and moral psychology and influenced later thinkers. Own firmly negative view saw the post-hoc rationalizers of self-interest, apologists for various forms of tyranny, as playing a role in the modern alienation from natural impulse of humanity to compassion. The concern to find a way of preserving human freedom in a world of increasingly dependence for the satisfaction of their needs dominates work. This concerns a material dimension and a more important psychological dimensions. Rousseau a fact that in the modern world, humans come to derive their very sense of self from the opinions as corrosive of freedom and destructive of authenticity. In maturity, he principally explores the first political route, aimed at constructing institutions that allow for the co-existence of equal sovereign citizens in a community; the second route to achieving and protecting freedom, a project for child development and education, fosters autonomy and avoids the development of the most destructive forms of self-interest. Rousseau thinks or the possible co-existence of humans in relations of equality and freedom despite his consistent and overwhelming pessimism that humanity will escape from a dystopia of alienation, oppression, and unfreedom. In addition to contributions, Rousseau acted as a composer, a music theorist, the pioneer of modern autobiography, a novelist, and a botanist. Appreciation of the wonders of nature and his stress on the importance of emotion made Rousseau an influence on and anticipator of the romantic movement. To a very large extent, the interests and concerns that mark his work also inform these other activities, and contributions of Rousseau in ostensibly other fields often serve to illuminate his commitments and arguments.
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November 11, 2025
How wonderful it is to read Jean-Jacques Rousseau's beautiful French prose again! A quarter-century ago, I read his great works, one after the other, in chronological order, and was quite impressed by his magnificent style (and the depth of his musings). Now too, this reissue of six letters he wrote to the Countess d'Houtetot enraptured me, so much so that I read entire passages aloud— and what a delight!
But of course, it's not just about the style. In these letters, Rousseau explores the best way to become virtuous and happy. He does take a bit of a lead-in, as he first sings the Countess's praises at length, and especially her virtue. And he had reason to do that. In 1757, Rousseau had developed a passionate love for the Countess, whose full name was Élisabeth Sophie Françoise de Bellegarde (1730-1813), and who was married to the Count d'Houtetot, with whom she had three children. There has been considerable speculation about the nature of the relationship between Rousseau and Sophie (as he addresses her in the letters). Whatever it may be, in these letters, which were clearly intended for publication, the author maintains absolute distance, in the form of an ardent, yet platonic admiration. Incidentally, Sophie is said to be the model for Julie, the protagonist of—in my opinion—Rousseau's finest novel,Julie ou La nouvelle Héloïse. Anyone who has read that book knows what that means.
Many passages in the letters are strongly reminiscent of that novel, and that's not surprising, because formally, they too are primarily letters in a passionate yet elevated style, and content-wise, the themes of virtue and happiness are central. And, incidentally, many other of Rousseau's passions: his critique of rationalism, the philosophers, and materialism, and his love of nature and solitude. It's wonderful to read all of this again in a condensed form. Interesting detail: I picked up this little book during a visit to Rousseau's birthhouse in Geneva, Switzerland. Like most birthplaces of writers and other celebrities, the museum is a bit disappointing. But it was nice to pick up this and other works, at the bookshop.
But of course, it's not just about the style. In these letters, Rousseau explores the best way to become virtuous and happy. He does take a bit of a lead-in, as he first sings the Countess's praises at length, and especially her virtue. And he had reason to do that. In 1757, Rousseau had developed a passionate love for the Countess, whose full name was Élisabeth Sophie Françoise de Bellegarde (1730-1813), and who was married to the Count d'Houtetot, with whom she had three children. There has been considerable speculation about the nature of the relationship between Rousseau and Sophie (as he addresses her in the letters). Whatever it may be, in these letters, which were clearly intended for publication, the author maintains absolute distance, in the form of an ardent, yet platonic admiration. Incidentally, Sophie is said to be the model for Julie, the protagonist of—in my opinion—Rousseau's finest novel,Julie ou La nouvelle Héloïse. Anyone who has read that book knows what that means.
Many passages in the letters are strongly reminiscent of that novel, and that's not surprising, because formally, they too are primarily letters in a passionate yet elevated style, and content-wise, the themes of virtue and happiness are central. And, incidentally, many other of Rousseau's passions: his critique of rationalism, the philosophers, and materialism, and his love of nature and solitude. It's wonderful to read all of this again in a condensed form. Interesting detail: I picked up this little book during a visit to Rousseau's birthhouse in Geneva, Switzerland. Like most birthplaces of writers and other celebrities, the museum is a bit disappointing. But it was nice to pick up this and other works, at the bookshop.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review