Comparing Rousseau's Discourse On The Arts And Sciences

Discourse on the Arts and Sciences is an award winning proposal by Jean-Jacques Rousseau conceived with the intent of addressing the “potentially purifying effects upon morals through the restoration of the arts and sciences.” [p. 1] Rousseau examines the concept of measuring our own self worth with the ability to perform in a manner deemed worthy of the rest of societies approbation. This is explored as Rousseau describes the consequences of “perceiving the principal advantage of an intercourse with the Muses” [p. 3] as creating a more sociable society which will strive to achieve the acceptance of those they coexist alongside. In doing so, Rousseau incorporates the idea that the arts and sciences “stifle in men the sense of original liberty, cause them to love their own slavery, and make of them what is
We do this with the hopes of achieving improved personal results; however, this does not always see full pervasion as not all people learn or thrive in the same manner. I relate heavily to this as one chain weighing heavy upon my life is my ever-changing desire to be more like those around me. May this be reflected in an intellectual sense or something as simple as how I look, I have endured the trials that come with insecurity. Over the years, a more committed ritual of self love has taught me to identify new aspects of myself that I was not utilizing, such as my ability to teach or my drive to push my intellectual boundaries. Because of these personal discoveries, I began to dream of my own potential success story. I applied to the University of Mount Royal and was later offered admission within two programs: English and Journalism. Pursuing something that would allow me to teach while also keeping with my passion of writing, I decided editing and publishing would be my