whenever I see someone in my notifications clearly going through my JJ tag it genuinely makes me smile but also, like, --- are you okay?
enlitment reblogged
Trick or treat? ⚔
Trick!!!
You get my dem theory prof calling JJ "R" in his lecture slides (he also jumpscared me with a slide that was just zoomed in on JJ's face 🥲)
And for a treat as well, here's a picture I took in the building where the Tennis Court Oath took place:
R just doesn't feel right 😔
And thank you, that's so cool! Bailey looks very majestic & determined
Trick or treat!
Treat! 🎃
You got a very cursed photo of JJ-jumpscare book cover I saw at a Hungarian book shop
Okay, okay, there's also a picture of V's bio with my favourite fan:
I honestly think studying philosophy and psychoanalysis broke my brain somehow and turned into a full-on mommy issues detector. now I just can't unsee it.
enlitment reblogged
Anonymous asked:
I dont know if you already answered this question (I'm sorry if you did!) but, which JJ's book do you recommend for starters?
Hi, thank you for the ask. I don't think I've ever answered it publicly actually!
It depends entirely on what interests you:
1. The Social Contract/Du contrat social
-> start here if you want to pick up Rousseau because you're interested in the French Revolution/politics/political philosophy. It is probably his most famous work (along with Emile maybe)
It's surprisingly readable (and funny at times!), though if you expect a perfectly coherent and logical system, be prepared for disappointment. It also helps to know at least some basics (like the gist of Hobbes' or Locke's political philosophy), but don't worry if you don't, you're still understand most of it.
2. Letter to M. d'Alembert on Spectacles
-> start here if you want a genuinely fascinating insight into late 1700s misogyny. It's chilling how some of the arguments feel so contemporary. It's fairly short, and reads more like a ramble/angry twitter thread that just pulls you right in.
It's great to get your blood boiling, but not a great start if you want to like Rousseau. Oh, and if you read it alongside Confessions, the sheer level of cognitive disonance/denial it's simply delicious.
3. Confessions
-> start here if you want to learn about Rousseau's life. It won't necessarily give you the true facts, but it will offer you a fascinating insight into his mind.
It's one hell of a ride, but it's not all weird psychosexual wtf moments. You can learn a lot from it about what life was like in the 18th century, and about the (usually unspoken) social norms. One thing I loved was that it revealed how much power French women actually had in the society, though it wasn't immediately obvious.
Also, there are some passages in which he talks about his social anxiety and insecurities where I genuinely find myself sympathising with him.
I'm also sorry to say that I firmly believe that it's a fun read. It gets very, very frustrating at times, but the man could write.
4. Introducing Rousseau by Dave Robinson
-> Start here if you want a quick overview/something to hold onto before jumping straight in!
Yeah, it's an illustrated guide, it's a tiny book and it looks a bit daft, but I personally swear by it. It's a very quick and engaging read, but it represents his philosophy and his life fairly well from what I can tell.
Pictured here with my hand and the man himself:
Honourable Mentions:
5. Discourse on the Arts and Sciences -> start here if you want to start with a text that first made Rousseau famous/are keen to approach his works in a chronological order
6. Emile, or On Education -> I haven't read this one I'm afraid (though I now own it!), but it's one of his most influential works. If you're interested in the idea of childhood and education, this one's for you! (but prepare to be angry re: Education of Sophie I guess)
Hope this helps, and do let me know how you get on!
< prev's (extremly valid) tags
logged onto uquiz again after ages to check my quiz' stats and... this person might actually be onto something
Anonymous asked:
I dont know if you already answered this question (I'm sorry if you did!) but, which JJ's book do you recommend for starters?
Hi, thank you for the ask. I don't think I've ever answered it publicly actually!
It depends entirely on what interests you:
1. The Social Contract/Du contrat social
-> start here if you want to pick up Rousseau because you're interested in the French Revolution/politics/political philosophy. It is probably his most famous work (along with Emile maybe)
It's surprisingly readable (and funny at times!), though if you expect a perfectly coherent and logical system, be prepared for disappointment. It also helps to know at least some basics (like the gist of Hobbes' or Locke's political philosophy), but don't worry if you don't, you're still understand most of it.
2. Letter to M. d'Alembert on Spectacles
-> start here if you want a genuinely fascinating insight into late 1700s misogyny. It's chilling how some of the arguments feel so contemporary. It's fairly short, and reads more like a ramble/angry twitter thread that just pulls you right in.
It's great to get your blood boiling, but not a great start if you want to like Rousseau. Oh, and if you read it alongside Confessions, the sheer level of cognitive disonance/denial it's simply delicious.
3. Confessions
-> start here if you want to learn about Rousseau's life. It won't necessarily give you the true facts, but it will offer you a fascinating insight into his mind.
It's one hell of a ride, but it's not all weird psychosexual wtf moments. You can learn a lot from it about what life was like in the 18th century, and about the (usually unspoken) social norms. One thing I loved was that it revealed how much power French women actually had in the society, though it wasn't immediately obvious.
Also, there are some passages in which he talks about his social anxiety and insecurities where I genuinely find myself sympathising with him.
I'm also sorry to say that I firmly believe that it's a fun read. It gets very, very frustrating at times, but the man could write.
4. Introducing Rousseau by Dave Robinson
-> Start here if you want a quick overview/something to hold onto before jumping straight in!
Yeah, it's an illustrated guide, it's a tiny book and it looks a bit daft, but I personally swear by it. It's a very quick and engaging read, but it represents his philosophy and his life fairly well from what I can tell.
Pictured here with my hand and the man himself:
Honourable Mentions:
5. Discourse on the Arts and Sciences -> start here if you want to start with a text that first made Rousseau famous/are keen to approach his works in a chronological order
6. Emile, or On Education -> I haven't read this one I'm afraid (though I now own it!), but it's one of his most influential works. If you're interested in the idea of childhood and education, this one's for you! (but prepare to be angry re: Education of Sophie I guess)
Hope this helps, and do let me know how you get on!
enlitment reblogged
in the 1700s did voltaire fans ever beef with rousseau fans
My guess would be that the average person would probably didn't know about a lot of the things that went on between them?
Not even Rousseau knew it was V who outed him re: supplying orphanages and a lot of the things would be in their letters which didn't always get published
Though some of the stuff did get published. Candide for instance, though I'm not sure how many people would pick up on it. Also pretty sure Letter to d'Alembert re: theatre in Geneva (code for: men used to be men before and now women rule the world in their fancy clothes, boo) would be discussed and would divide people (and it was clear which side V would be on).
I can totally see team Voltaire x team Rousseau discussion coming up in one of the Parisian cafés, plus there's also the clock.
(I do have a batshit example of JJ fans' behaviour in regards to Denis though, who is smeared in the Confessions much more than Voltaire is...)
wait what happened with JJ fans and Denis?
okay, I'll bite! (she says as if she wasn't hoping that someone would ask)
My note from when I first read it back in the summer says:
Cited from Diderot et Rousseau: une amitié impossible by Gerhardt Stenger
(do excuse the probably poor translation I had German as a third language in high school instead and now I have to make do with DeepL and such)
Got my hands on Mary Shelley's 1815 Goodreads challenge!
It feels really exciting to have an opportunity to read it, but I also regret to inform you...
There's a lot of Voltaire as well though... Also I'm aware of her mother's thoughts on Rousseau (did read him but not a big fan of his view of women, surprise surprise). Not sure if Mary's are documented though!
If this is ironic, I kinda appreciate it? If not then may the Supreme Being help us all
(a lot of spice by the way. so much of it in fact that makes you want to sprinkle salt in your eyes or eat at least three spoonfuls of cinnamon)
<- prev's tags 👌
afternoon in a cherry orchard 🍒 F/F/M 🍒 warning: hand-kissing [18+] [spicy] 🤫
✨ 5 tips to awaken your inner Mme de Warens ✨
POV: You're learning to play the piano and this guy shows up one day as your new music teacher [even though he can't really read sheet music] 😍😤
enlitment reblogged
If this is ironic, I kinda appreciate it? If not then may the Supreme Being help us all
(a lot of spice by the way. so much of it in fact that makes you want to sprinkle salt in your eyes or eat at least three spoonfuls of cinnamon)
listen idk... i saw this creature and my hand slipped and i drew Rousseau.
enlitment reblogged
fuck this im building an aqueduct
— J. J. Rousseau, aged ca. 7