The life, personality, and thought of the 18th-century political philosopher and essayist are examined in this outstanding program. Emphasis is on Rousseau’s critique of the inequities and shallowness of French society, and the new values system he developed which promoted individual rights and a return to nature. Rousseau’s masterwork, The Social Contract, defined this philosophy and served as a major influence on French Revolutionary thought. Other aspects of Rousseau’s philosophical development include his early association with Diderot and the Encyclopedists, and later friendship with David Hume. Produced by the Open University. (25 minutes)