Publications

In "The Social Contract or Principles of Political Right", Rousseau theorizes about the best way in which to set up a political community in the face of the problems of commercial society. The stated ...chevron_right

A revolutionary and controversial work, this publication is a classic of political theory and a key source of democratic ideals. Rousseau's concepts of "the general will" as a way for individuals' sel...chevron_right

This 1754 essay, written in response to concepts of the "natural man" developed by philosopher Thomas Hobbes, explores ideas, radical at the time and still considered such today. Was man better off be...chevron_right

This work considers the possibilities for creating a new form of government. According to Hume it is advantageous to know what the best form of commonwealth is, because this allows for the improvement...chevron_right

"Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men (Discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes), also commonly known as the "Second Discourse", is a response to a...chevron_right

"Essays, Moral, Political, and Literary" is a two volume compilation of essays by David Hume. Part I includes the works from" Essays, Moral and Political", plus two essays from "Four Dissertations", w...chevron_right

"A Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Sciences" (1750) is an essay which argues that the arts and sciences corrupt human morality. It was Rousseau's first successful published philosophica...chevron_right

"A Treatise of Human Nature" is David Hume's comprehensive attempt to base philosophy on a new, observationally grounded study of human nature, is one of the most important texts in Western philosophy...chevron_right

The First Treatise is an extended attack on Sir Robert Filmer's 'Patriarcha' in which he undercuts the Scriptural support that Filmer had offered for his thesis, and argues that the acceptance of Film...chevron_right

In this letter to Philipp von Limborch, Locke argues for a new understanding of the relationship between religion and government. One of the founders of Empiricism, Locke develops a philosophy that is...chevron_right

"Ethics" was is considered Spinoza's magnum opus, a work in which he attempts to demonstrate a philosophical system that strives to provide a coherent picture of reality and comprehend the meaning of ...chevron_right

In this treatise, Spinoza analyzes each form of government: monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, without affirming which of these is best. In the first five chapters, he discusses political science i...chevron_right

The Praise of Folly (sometimes translated as "In Praise of More") is an essay written by Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam. Folly, the essay's central character, parades as one of the gods, nursed by In...chevron_right

"On The Improvement Of The Understanding" is an unfinished work of philosophy by the 17th century philosopher Spinoza. It examines the concept of ideas and understanding.chevron_right

"Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil", commonly shortened to "Leviathan", argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote...chevron_right