Rousseau's Social Contract and the Foundation of Western Culture

  • March 7, 2001
  • James Skemp
“Man is born free; and everywhere he is in chains.” (Rousseau, Chapter I). Jean-Jacques Rousseau and The Social Contract had a large impact on Western Civilization in the late 18th century. Rousseau based his ideas on some of the writings of previous philosophers, trying to form a good political theory. The Social Contract was developed by Jean-Jacques Rousseau around 1762, during the time of the scientific revolution and the Enlightenment. The Social Contract was based on the ideas of Baron de Montesquieu and John Locke.

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Report to the Gerousia: A Spartan's View of Athens and It's People

  • April 9, 2000
  • James Skemp
My wise Gerousia, You have told me to visit Athens and gather information on the Athenians. I have done so and am writing this report to try to describe to you Athenian society. I have many things to tell you about; their culture and politics, the personalities of the Athenians, Athenian “democracy”, and I want to tell you about Pericles and his “Funeral Oration”. Upon my arrival, one of the first things I noticed was the size of Athens.

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