Europaeische Studien zur Ideen- und Wissenschaftsgeschichte / European Studies in the History of Science and Ideas – serie

The author examines Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political thought from the angle of classical republicanism. To offer an account of Rousseau’s republicanism she explores his idea of the citizen and civic virtues. In addition, eighteenth-century conceptions of luxury and Rousseau’s ideas of the patriot and liberty are discussed. Rousseau’s republicanism is here considered to stem from his Genevan legacy and his ideas are seen as a critical response to the contemporary ascendancy of the Mandevillean idea of man, which emphasized the values and virtues attached to commerce.

This study approaches virtus as a moral value concept. The author argues that it is only through conceptual analysis that the meaning and value of virtus are given adequate illustration, and that philology should be regarded as a part of practical philosophy. The study covers Roman literature from the beginnings until Livy. During the Roman Republican Age, virtus was considered a man’s contribution to his society and state, in terms of collectivism. Virtus (‘manliness’) was thought to be more real than any of its particular and transitory representations, i.e. individual male citizens. On the other hand, as an existentialist value concept, virtus at a relatively early stage denoted a man’s intrinsic or ontic value or his true self, without regard to any worldly success whatsoever. The final analysis shows that virtus (‘virtue’) is congruous with or even synonymous to individualism. This book also presents a contribution to gender studies from the standpoint of a man.

The first regular chair of English Studies on the Continent was established in 1872 at the University of Strasbourg, re-founded by Germany after its victory of 1870-71. This institutionalisation, which decisively influenced the development of the discipline in Europe and beyond, can be explained by the general and academic history of the two countries and the special geopolitical situation of Alsace. La première chaire d’études anglaises continentales a été créée en 1872 à l’Université de Strasbourg, réinstallée par l’Allemagne après sa victoire de 1870-71. Cette création, qui allait marquer l’évolution de la discipline en Europe et au-delà, s’explique par l’histoire et les évolutions académiques des deux pays et la situation géopolitique particulière de l’Alsace.Der erste reguläre Anglistiklehrstuhl auf dem Kontinent wurde 1872 an der Universität Straßburg, die von Deutschland nach dem Sieg von 1870-71 wiederbegründet worden war, geschaffen. Diese Etablierung, die die Entwicklung der Disziplin in Europa und darüber hinaus prägte, erklärt sich aus der allgemeinen und Wissenschaftsgeschichte der beiden Länder und der besonderen geopolitischen Lage des Elsass.