This work is a frank treatment of Rousseau's sexual and intellectual development. It offers a model for the reflective life: the solitary, uncompromising individual; the enemy of servitude and habit; and the selfish egoist who dedicates himself to a particular ideal.

An introduction to Rousseau's Confessions.

When it was first published in 1781, The Confessions scandalised Europe with its emotional honesty and frank treatment of the author's sexual and intellectual development. Since then, it has had a more profound impact on European thought. Rousseau left posterity a model of the reflective life - the solitary, uncompromising individual, the enemy of servitude and habit and the selfish egoist who dedicates his life to a particular ideal. The Confessions recreates the world in which he progressed from incompetent engraver to grand success; his enthusiasm for experience, his love of nature, and his uncompromising character make him an ideal guide to eighteenth-century Europe, and he was the author of some of the most profound work ever written on the relation between the individual and the state.

Based on his doctrine of natural goodness, Rousseau intended the Confessions as a testing ground to explore his belief that, as Christopher Kelly writes, "people are to be measured by the depth and nature of their feelings." Re-created here in a meticulously documented new translation based on the definitive Pléiade edition, the work represents Rousseau's attempt to forge connections among his beliefs, his feelings, and his life. More than a "behind-the-scenes look at the private life of a public man," Kelly writes, "the Confessions is at the center of Rousseau's philosophical enterprise."

* Beautifully illustrated with atmospheric paintings by renowned artists, The Confessions of Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a fascinating treatise on the education of the whole person for citizenship. * Just as accessible and enjoyable for today's readers as it would have been when first published, the novel is one of the great works of French literature and continues to be widely read throughout the world.* This meticulous edition from Heritage Illustrated Publishing is a faithful reproduction of the original text and is enhanced with images of classic works of art carefully selected by our team of professional editors.

An exploration of the soul in the form of a final meditation on self-understanding and isolation.

The thinker and writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau described in himself a restlessness, impulsivity and distractibility which would today almost certainly warrant diagnosis with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).In ADHD Confessions: Rousseau as Self Help, Richard Orange shows how this famed figure of the French Enlightenment harnessed what he called his "restless temperament" to generate bold, original ideas in fields as diverse as music, education, literature, autobiography, and political science, influencing both the leaders of the French Revolution and the writers of the US Constitution. But he also turned his extraordinary intellect in on his own mind, analysing his restless traits nearly 250 years before they would be framed as a mental disorder. Orange shows how Confessions, together with Rousseau's two later autobiographical works, still hold uniquely helpful insights for those wrestling with restlessness and impulsivity today. Rousseau found his unruly mind agonising, but in later life he congratulated himself on his decision to work with rather than try to combat his frustrating traits. He was thankful, he wrote, that he had had the courage to "give in without resistance to nature's bent." For all the agony, shame and mental turmoil his racing mind brought him, he saw it as a what made his thinking so unusual and stimulating. As he declared in the introduction to his Confessions: "If I am no better, at least I am different." Praise for "Was Rousseau's restless genius a symptom of ADHD?," Richard Orange's previous essay in Aeon Magazine. "You have entirely convinced me that ADHD offers a good way of describing what made life so difficult for Rousseau, but also liberated his genius." - Leo Damrosch, Ernest Bernbaum Professor of Literature Emeritus, Harvard University, and author of Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius."Fascinating read on ADHD. It's a slam-dunk that the characteristics of Jean-Jacques Rousseau point to ADHD." - Dr Ned Hallowell, ADHD psychiatrist and New York Times bestselling author of ADHD self-help book Delivered from Distraction. "ADHD wiring in the mind of Jean-Jacques Rousseau inspired not only the French Revolution, but the American experiment as well. The Enlightenment as we know it may have been very different, far less transformational, had Rousseau not had ADHD." -- Thom Hartmann, Radio Host and author of Adult ADHD, How to Succeed as a Hunter in a Farmer's World.

Reproduction of the original: The Confessions of J.J. Rousseau by Jean Jacques Rousseau

Step into the mind of one of history's most influential philosophers with "Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau himself. This timeless classic offers a fascinating glimpse into the innermost thoughts, feelings, and experiences of the renowned Enlightenment thinker. Join Jean-Jacques Rousseau as he bares his soul in this candid and introspective autobiography. Through the pages of "Confessions," Rousseau invites readers into his world, recounting his joys, sorrows, triumphs, and regrets with unparalleled honesty and depth. Rousseau's "Confessions" is more than just a memoir—it is a profound meditation on the human condition, society, and the nature of existence. From his tumultuous childhood to his struggles with love and identity, Rousseau's reflections offer profound insights into the complexities of life and the human psyche. As you delve into Rousseau's confessions, you'll find yourself captivated by his keen observations, philosophical musings, and poignant reflections on the world around him. Whether he's discussing the corrupting influence of society or the pursuit of personal freedom, Rousseau's words resonate with timeless relevance. But "Confessions" is not just a work of philosophy—it is a deeply personal narrative that reveals the inner workings of a brilliant yet troubled mind. Rousseau's candid revelations and unflinching self-examination make this autobiography a compelling and thought-provoking read for readers of all backgrounds. Whether you're a student of philosophy, a lover of literature, or simply someone seeking insight into the human condition, "Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau" offers a captivating journey into the heart and mind of one of history's most enigmatic figures. Pick up your copy today and discover the timeless wisdom of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.