Who wrote the paper entitled. "A Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Science"?

Correct option is D

The paper titled "A Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Sciences" (commonly known as the First Discourse) was written by Jean Jacques Rousseau in 1750. In this work, Rousseau argues that the advancement of the arts and sciences has not improved human morality but rather contributed to moral decay. He believes that as societies become more civilized and focus on intellectual achievements, they lose sight of essential virtues like simplicity, honesty, and morality. The essay was Rousseau's response to a prize competition by the Academy of Dijon, and it marked his emergence as a prominent philosophical figure.
Information Booster:
1. Jean Jacques Rousseau was a major figure in the Enlightenment but differed from many contemporaries by criticizing progress in arts and sciences.
2. The First Discourse contends that while knowledge and intellectual pursuits may enhance luxury and comfort, they corrupt human virtue and moral fiber.
3. Rousseau's ideas inspired the Romantic Movement, which celebrated emotion, nature, and simplicity over rationalism and scientific achievement.
4. His critiques set the foundation for debates on the relationship between modernity and morality.
5. The First Discourse received wide attention and stirred debate, influencing political philosophy, especially ideas around governance and the role of the individual in society.
6. Rousseau's later works, such as "The Social Contract" and "Emile", expanded on themes of individual freedom, society, and education.