Modernity and Authenticity

Alessandro Ferrara is Professor of Sociology at the University of Rome.

"This book is an original analysis of the idea of authenticity in Rousseau's work in particular and in the tradition of modern ethics in general. It begins with an overview of the persistent critique by contemporary conservatives of the notion of authenticity. Ferrara succeeds in bringing out the relevance of Rousseau to current discussions of modernity and postmodernity. It also brings some initial clarity and coherence to an idea—authenticity—that is notoriously slippery and regarded suspiciously by many." — Stephen K. White, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"I know of no study on Rousseau like this. It is indeed useful and important. Ferrara locates Rousseau in the context of the contemporary discussion of ethics and links him with the modern as well as the classic discussions of ethics. It is also readable." — David A. Rasmussen, Boston College

• Preface Introduction 1. Contemporary Modernity and Its Discontents 2. Rousseau's Critique of Modernity a. Man in the State of Natureb. Rousseau's Argument against Hobbesc. The State of Nature and Societyd. The Transition to Societye. From the Patriarchal to the Agricultural Societyf. Society and the Self: Rousseau's Critique of Modernity 3. The Legitimate Political Order a. Competition and the Emancipated Societyb. Neither Totalitarian nor Liberalc. On Rousseau's Concept of Freedomd. Civic Virtue and Private Virtue 4. Rousseau's Psychology of the Self a. Education versus Socializationb. Rousseau's Psychology of the Selfc. Excursus on Authenticity 5. Beyond the Limits of Autonomy: Rousseau's Ethic of Autheniticy a. The New Heloiseb. The Limits of Autonomy 6. Ethics and the Tensions of Modernity: A Neo-Weberian Interpretation a. Rousseau and the Postmodern Syndromeb. Weber's Conception of Ethical Evolution as Rationalizationc. The Tensions of Modern Morality 7. Authenticity and the Evolution of Ethics Notes Bibliography Index