"In 1758, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert began an argument that would produce one of the most important philosophical discussions on the political importance of the arts . . . and sparked a series of letters between the two leading figures of the Enlightenment, one whose debate over the position of women and censorship versus high culture would polarize contemporary philosophers and social theorists. These letters are printed for the first time in this edition."--Translation Review

"Rousseau's work belongs on the very short list of the most important reflections on the nature, function, and value of literature ever produced by a philosopher. Certainly every respectable library and every philosopher with an interest in Rousseau will want to possess this volume." --The Review of Metaphysics