Two Lovers: New Eloise

Author: Rousseau
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1995-01-01
Features: After leaving Mme. de Warren, Rousseau began to support himself, working as a private tutor, clerk, secretary, and more. He also made connections with various individuals, particularly meeting the great philosopher Denis Diderot. Due to their shared interests, hobbies, and aspirations, they formed a deep friendship. Both were passionate about academic work, and Diderot and Rousseau, among others, began collaborating on an encyclopedia. Rousseau was responsible for the music section, but the project was interrupted due to Diderot's arrest. Rousseau sought help from friends to secure Diderot's release, but with little success. He frequently visited Diderot in prison.
In the summer of 1749, the weather was extremely hot. The long distance from Paris to the prison made Rousseau's visits exhausting. He often carried a book with him, so he could rest and read when tired. One day, he brought a copy of the Mercure de France magazine and suddenly came across an announcement for an essay competition by the Academy of Dijon: "Does the Progress of Science and Arts Contribute to Improving Manners?" When Rousseau read the title, he felt as if he were struck by a thousand rays of light. A surge of vibrant ideas spontaneously arose in his mind. He felt breathless, as if he were in another universe, transformed into a different person. His thoughts not only revolved around the essay topic but also sparked a series of successive ideas, like waves crashing upon him. This intellectual upheaval revealed the potential of his profound insights.
Rousseau shared this experience with Diderot. Diderot encouraged him to develop his thoughts further and submit an essay for the competition. Rousseau actively wrote the piece, sent it to Diderot for review, and revised it multiple times before submitting it under the title "On the Arts and Sciences." In 1750, his essay won first prize. In this work, he denied the value of arts and sciences, arguing against them from the opposite perspective. He expressed his distrust and hatred for Parisian society, as well as his opposition to the fraud hidden within it. He condemned science, literature, and art, believing they were dominated by power.