I don't always find myself in agreement with the words that come out of his mouth. However, there is something truly captivating about the way he expresses himself.

His speech has a certain charm and charisma that draw me in, even when I might not necessarily concur with the content.

It's as if he has a unique gift for presenting his thoughts and ideas in a manner that makes them impossible to ignore.

Perhaps it's his confidence, his tone, or the way he emphasizes certain points.

Whatever it is, it has a powerful effect on me.

Even when I'm inclined to oppose his views, I can't help but be impressed by the way he articulates them.

His words have a way of making me think, challenging my own beliefs and perspectives.

In the end, I may not always side with him, but I will always appreciate the way he says what he has to say.

An amusing idea at first,

former philosophic colleagues were battling over a paragraph that one entered into the encyclopedia.

Rousseau took the austere path of morality and found fault with every aspect of the proposed civic theatre.

However, the more he delved into the assumed wanton immorality of actors, especially actresses, and their craft,

the more he exposed his unenlightened view of gender politics by today's standards.

Even though he invoked the Spartan lifestyle for his little republic,

he had a negative impact on a true appreciation of the dramatic arts as the vehicle of an empathetic community.

No doubt d'Alembert rolled his eyes at the flood of ignorance pouring forth from the future author of the Social Contract.

It is interesting to note how Rousseau's strict moral stance and his views on actors and the theatre clashed with the more liberal ideas of his colleagues.

This debate not only reveals the different perspectives within the philosophical community at that time but also sheds light on the evolving understanding of gender roles and the importance of the arts in society.

The contrast between Rousseau's austere vision and the potential of the dramatic arts to foster empathy and community is a thought-provoking aspect of this historical discussion.

Finally finished it!!

Not that it's a difficult text to read. In fact, of all the texts I had to read for my Enlightenment and Critics class, Politics and the Arts is one of the more straightforward ones.

Though I certainly don't agree with some of Rousseau's beliefs, especially as I'm female. For example, his views on women's roles might seem rather outdated and limiting in today's context.

However, Rousseau does offer wonderful insights into the negative effects of the "modern public" and the culture of theater. He shows how the modern public can be easily influenced and manipulated, and how the theater can sometimes promote immoral and decadent behavior.

He both seems like a conservative, old man by today's standards yet also very liberal, especially with regards to the subject of sex. His ideas on sexual freedom and equality were quite revolutionary for his time.

Can't say I would like Rousseau personally if I met him, but the text is a pretty interesting read. It makes you think about the role of the arts in society and the impact of modern culture on our values and beliefs.

I exerted my utmost efforts to complete this arduous treatise, but unfortunately, I was unable to make it through the entire text.

"Politics and the Arts" is Rousseau's retort to Monsieur D'Alembert's public letter that expounds on the necessity of establishing a theatre in Geneva. Rousseau provided a long-winded explanation as to why this was a poor idea. He presented a hodgepodge of justifications, half-recalled explications of the moral and aesthetic aspects of Moliere's most renowned plays, gripes about women's political empowerment, and fallacious assertions regarding authenticity to bolster his argument. In simple terms, it is a jumble of contradictions, oversimplifications, and biases disguised as facts.

Nonetheless, the translation is lucid and of good quality, and Bloom's extensive footnotes are also commendable, which is why it warrants a two-star rating instead of a one-star rating.