The Josias Podcast, Episode IV: Nature, Natural Ends, and the Enlightenment (Part 2)

Isaac Newton's 'Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica' is a seminal work that established the principles of classical mechanics and the law of universal gravitation. Published in 1687, it revolutionized the understanding of motion and forces, providing a comprehensive framework for both terrestrial and celestial mechanics. The book is divided into three sections, covering the laws of motion, resisted motions, and the system of the world, including gravitational forces and planetary orbits.

In this essay, Rousseau responds to the question posed by the Academy of Dijon: 'Has the restoration of the sciences and arts contributed to the purification of morals?' He argues that the advancement of the arts and sciences has a corrosive effect on human morality, leading to the degradation of natural virtues and the introduction of vices such as luxury and inequality. Rousseau posits that human beings are naturally good but are corrupted by the influences of civilization and the arts. The work is significant as it sets the stage for his later philosophical writings, including the 'Discourse on Inequality' and 'The Social Contract'[1][3][5]