Science Is Poisoning You | Rousseau's First Discourse Explained

An introductory lecture summarizing the key ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Discourse on the Arts and Sciences
Some links to further guide your study:
* Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io
* Full transcript: www.johnathanbi.com/p/art-and...
Companion lectures & interviews:
* Rousseau on the importance of heroes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/selfish...
Texts I referenced (affiliate):
* Best translation of the First Discourse: amzn.to/3Xr4NyO
* My book notes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/discour...
* Best reading companion to the First Discourse: amzn.to/4chZeXG
* My book notes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/roussea...
* Best overview of Rousseau's view on the role of authors: amzn.to/4bX9JQD
* My book notes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/roussea...
TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 0. Introduction
00:05:23 1.1 Critique: Sparta and Athens
00:06:54 1.2 Critique: Self-Interest and Pride
00:14:14 1.3 Critique: Science and the Disease of Contrarianism
00:22:24 1.4 Critique: Science Destroys the Social Fabric
00:29:43 1.5 Critique: Science is Useless
00:35:14 1.6 Critique: Popular Enlightenment
00:39:10 1.7 Critique: Art is Morally Impotent
00:50:03 1.8 Critique: Art’s Second Order Dangers
01:02:52 2.1 Prescriptions: Fighting Enlightenment with Enlightenment
01:10:20 2.2 Prescriptions: Rousseau, the Anti-Revolutionary
01:14:27 2.3 Prescriptions: Art in the Good State
01:21:31 2.4 Prescriptions: Science in the Good State
01:28:15 3. Contemporary Relevance of the First Discourse

[@bi.johnathan]

Some links to further guide your study: * Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io * Full transcript: www.johnathanbi.com/p/art-and-science-are-poisoning-you Companion lectures & interviews: * Rousseau on the importance of heroes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/selfish-heroes-make-great-leaders Texts I referenced (affiliate): * Best translation of the First Discourse: amzn.to/3Xr4NyO * My book notes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/discourse-on-the-arts-and-sciences * Best reading companion to the First Discourse: amzn.to/4chZeXG * My book notes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/rousseaus-critique-of-science-by * Best overview of Rousseau's view on the role of authors: amzn.to/4bX9JQD * My book notes: www.johnathanbi.com/p/rousseau-as-author-by-christopher TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00 0. Introduction 00:05:23 1.1 Critique: Sparta and Athens 00:06:54 1.2 Critique: Self-Interest and Pride 00:14:14 1.3 Critique: Science and the Disease of Contrarianism 00:22:24 1.4 Critique: Science Destroys the Social Fabric 00:29:43 1.5 Critique: Science is Useless 00:35:14 1.6 Critique: Popular Enlightenment 00:39:10 1.7 Critique: Art is Morally Impotent 00:50:03 1.8 Critique: Art’s Second Order Dangers 01:02:52 2.1 Prescriptions: Fighting Enlightenment with Enlightenment 01:10:20 2.2 Prescriptions: Rousseau, the Anti-Revolutionary 01:14:27 2.3 Prescriptions: Art in the Good State 01:21:31 2.4 Prescriptions: Science in the Good State 01:28:15 3. Contemporary Relevance of the First Discourse

[@bobsmith4978]

What would Girard make of Rosseau? There appears to be a fair bit of overlap in what they both say?

[@pugawugum7458]

God bless you

[@Mathematchit]

I feel like i stumble upon a forbidden house of thoughts, logic and reason. Like, im in a private boarding school for the highborns, those never televised schools where an monthly intuition fee is $150K, no matter, now im part of it. Thanks for this Lectures Johnathan, you make school look fun and worthy of the name. Genius.....for now.

[@tdmoor]

On the one hand, I really enjoyed this lecture and learned a lot from it. On the other hand, it's a poison and an existential threat to society.

[@bi.johnathan]

Glad you got the message :)

[@Freer07]

It seems like an antidote to a degenerate society as the West is, and a threat to those in power or elite in social sphere.

[@shaunwebb3729]

The new Sugrue. This time with Fight Club references in a Rousseau lecture. Love to see it!

[@jeremiahbok9028]

It's such a pleasure to have found your channel! Your work is so clear and easy to listen to as you explain these ideas so many people would consider inaccessible. I slide in and out of philosophy KZbin, so thank you for pulling me back in! I'm working my way eagerly through you Girard videos, I knew nothing about him and now I find him fascinating. Also, I'm sure you're told some variation of this a lot, but you dress to the teeth, sir, you always look sharp as a tack! Thank you for providing such high-qaulity content, from the picture quality to the editing to your gently passionate discussions and lectures, completely for free, this is a tremendous resource! Cheers.

[@epiclifeat4084]

Your style is very unique on KZbin. Glad to come across your channel.

[@Siferlash]

Excellent lecture and a cogent reading of Rousseau

[@SevenFootPelican]

This is excellent work you’re putting out here, Johnathan! Can’t wait to give this a listen. Thanks as always!

[@bi.johnathan]

Thanks for engaging with my work ... we are just getting started!

[@mao_lang]

Good video Johnathan, thanks for posting.

[@iulianbaziru]

Wonderful lecture.

[@fantakouyate2307]

Incredible production value

[@goodworksworldbasketball]

What an amazing lecture. Hooked.

[@lightdarklightdarklightdark]

ahhhh i needed this one. less words less videos

[@E______]

So reality is self configuring self generative and you are the ultimate judge of yourself. Who is this mysterious self we all refer to?

[@esiabu2261]

Wonderful lecture infront great listeners

[@KD-rs6xx]

Excellent

[@goofyahhh254]

Your pursuit of philosphy and you being available on KZbin reminded me of the late great Dr. Michael Sugrue. All the best and i wish to see more from you

[@goofyahhh254]

Of course your oratory skill is certainly there, hone it! Again, all the best

[@The_Talisman.]

R.I.P Michael Surge😢

[@yaminkakroo]

good lecture

[@_mayankr]

1:14:46 yes! similar to athenian theater, can we make these philosophical talks be done in an open air theater and be open to all citizenry and not just closed off to ticket holders?

[@PaulLumen]

listening to this immediately after Ralston College's "Education without Indoctrination: Can it Exist?" is giving me deep identity whiplash, and this as someone who has always loved philosophy and eschewed a formal university education in favor of the path of an auto-didact. especially in light of the inescapability of mimesis/reverse-mimesis on the decisions I've made. well done Johnathan. so glad to have discovered you through David Perell, as i have many other remarkable writers and thinkers. you've compelled me to write, discover, and re-examine. thank you so much.

[@sketchesoharlem]

Absolutely loved this lecture. In the 21st century, I think the wisdom from this discourse reminds us that true art should empower us to live better lives. The tragedy of our times is that such enriching art is getting harder to find due to the rise of mimetics and commodification. It's up to us as individuals to discern and seek out art that truly matters and has depth. Rousseau’s point about the next generation of wise individuals not needing teachers but following the spirit of virtue in the arts by intuition is inspiring, it reminds me of Herbert Marcuse and The Great Refusal. It emphasizes that our attention is precious, and we should focus it on subjects that have genuine substance and depth. To not abandon art, but rather, strive to appreciate and support art that enriches our lives. Again, great talk, looking forward to your next video!

[@-CIAV1647]

Amazing What a communactor ! Thanks for the summaries and understanding ! Put this man on all the medias and podcasts ! Is this how it is to study at ivy league !! ?

[@looogilo]

I could not find your book on Amazon about Rene Girard Thanks for the amazing lectures

[@visalserei]

You preach what you are becoming :) There is madness in everything.

[@Maybeabandaid9]

Feeling called out a minute into a video two hours long is wild.

[@bi.johnathan]

there's more where that came from :)

[@sketchesoharlem]

And yet here I am, love a challenge.

[@JeffersonsTree]

@@bi.johnathanit used to be that being right was what was important, however being challenged and proven wrong on different issues is now much more important. At least in my opinion, honor, humility, and integrity. It’s my belief that pride can be replaced with those three words. Am I mistaken.?

[@LeoulB]

can't tell if elaborate sardonic troll or somewhat self aware deliberate high brow poshness. Really owning it either way.

[@user-zh1th8sz2l]

Yeah, you're telling me. It's pretty clearly the latter, I would say.

[@LeoulB]

yep... they mean it. It's a modern take on Michael Sugrue's style. Suprised that world still exists. I except philosophers to be Zizek like.

[@NoName-lq7kt]

Academic cargo cult vibes

[@m.imamurreza2763]

why didnt i got this channel in my recommendations.. i missed a lot

[@123axel123]

Is this the academic version of Andrew Tate? They are both interesting to listen too and they both seem to go against modernity. Bi does not say it outright, but surely he must admire Rousseau.

[@Zimboprenuer]

were did you come from

[@LoremLorem]

These arguments are not in balance - you can't say that "The art brings people together but all the wrong ways". No. To condemn a whole industry is hardly intellectual nor wise. By The way, it was delightful to see your book add soon after you had declared that great men don't need to write books - they'll be written for them! Sorry, the goal of being the moral superior asks for critisism - you know, that is the way to become superior, to get past a tighter critisism. The end goal of moral critisism is to bring about the higher character in another, but immoral critisism aims to destruction for its sake. I hope all the best for you brother!

[@I-AM-KingPaulWall]

That's that pimp shit mein dude. You are heavily appreciated for your insights, my beautiful brother❤️‍🔥

[@ShahryarKhan-KHANSOLO-]

Bi's style of presentation seems heavily inspired by the young Michael Sugrue

[@Verulam1626]

Can confirm this is true based on him telling me

[@joahchewbhaka5679]

It looks like Johnathan could fix the next James Cameron movie.

[@animemantim]

How can we attend a lecture as an audience member?

[@_mayankr]

johnathan, are *you* living the good life?

[@Joshs8707]

Would mind me asking where your suit is from?

[@BUULSHIT]

sherlock holmes

[@Annayasha]

Its really nice, must be bespoke, made for his measures

[@jamestan6747]

everything grows and then dies. not sure why the lengthy dissection. yes once the contrast in the gulf between delusional and the truly knowlegable has calcified, things break.

[@DuskAndHerEmbrace13]

Dan Lok's son.

[@Because_Reasons]

Certainly something fascinating and true concepts, however I still think in as much as democracy produces more bad ideas, in aggregate it still by far produced way more 'good' ideas as well. The ratio is still highly skewed towards bad ideas, but without democratization of communication and media, those good ideas would be buried and never have the footing they do today either. Welp, Rousseau certainly nailed "Hollywood made America" didn't he?

[@rafaelludicanti2]

2h? Thanks.

[@michaeltastad]

Have the intro music be a little quieter - that is the only improvement that can be made to this video lol

[@tuckerbugeater]

I feel alright

[@JscottMays]

What does it mean to be a domesticated human? What is it to be human?

[@Shvetaki]

i dont know who you are , but being Based + High IQ & having Money + Taste is a rare combo. combining all of them for creating masterpieces like these and giving them away in a charitable way to the masses is even more beautiful. Hope you find a good woman and birth at least 6 kids. The world needs more of this.

[@Qavsify]

lmao this is some kinda compliment

[@Shvetaki]

@@Qavsify ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[@SpeaksYourWord]

Wow

[@Verulam1626]

Lmao 💯

[@leslietroy2869]

I don't understand why he has the music so inrense that it's hard to undersatnd what he is saying.

[@huckhat7559]

Kanye roblox suit

[@Jo15673]

14:30

[@user-fe3xu5tf1c]

The Printing Press and Its consequences

[@ronjohnson4566]

speaking of Athenians being tricksters, your words are cloaked in wordplay and the poetry of language. Something you are set against. Athenians believed in many gods. the Spartans believed in many gods and in general both communities believed in the same gods and praised both the same way. you are putting the idea forward that says, heroes are better ways to live than intelligence and art. but our country was founded by people who believed just the opposite. they believed the pen was mightier than the sword. that is why this country has a constitution that defines our laws. we are not ruled by an elite god-like group. our civil war showed quite clearly that war is not the answer. during both ww1 and ww2 America was reluctant to enter either war. if we went to war our "heroes" would suffer the most. if they came home at all it would be with broken hearts and minds not to mention a few legs, arms, and other body parts. what this lecture says is that a young person has only developed his body and not his mind. before he thinks, we the elite, will conscript him/her into the armed forces and send him to the front lines. Just like king David did to get rid of his loyal hero. you are saying king david was a voyeur, luster, a massagist, and some kind of power-seeking hero. if you want a woman, go out and take her. seems caveman to me. the truth of the matter is that civilization today claims to be positively affected by the arts. the arts show intelligence and the freedom to think whatever you want to think. your spartan world believes might is right. Of course, Jon Bi will be back at home enjoying his fine wine, reading a book beside the fire with his lapdog and his wife will be preparing dinner like she should be.

[@404errorpagenotfound.6]

Is this a scene from a long movie, the camera, the set, the attractive audience, the clothes, the editing... this is not your local philosophy club. Also has a strong Review Brah vibe. Also subbed and i dont even like philosophy.

[@warriordx5520]

Also: Leave it to the French to dehumanize science. Lol.

[@JhoferGamer]

first

[@bi.johnathan]

kudos

[@pleasebeseatedforstandup]

Case in point: people will find reasons for amour-propre, no matter how meaningless the victory.

[@bi.johnathan]

@@pleasebeseatedforstandup Haha indeed. Next interview will be a 2-hour discussion with Fred Neuhouser just on amour propre and amour de soi ... stay tuned!

[@_mayankr]

to my defense, i don't usually engage with philosophy that much, unless i find it actually improving my life. i only engage with yours, some (old) jordan peterson, and a few michael sugrue videos

[@kevnev342]

Philosophy should inform the way you think and live. Most of philosophy has become futile mental gymnastics that makes you feel good but leads nowhere, pursuing pointless inquiries for self-aggrandizement.

[@jaketron.seattle]

Based👍

[@videobob]

Not you say has reason; true is a conclusion of believe within self . Decision’s Jesus of Nazareth an earthy being received the highest self over earth name of Christ One self is within Christ Choice of the words by a being is wisdom of understanding truth by saying “Christ Jesus “ Grateful

[@OmarShariff-yu2pi]

Seems like an interesting lecture but I can’t get past the performative style of communication. It seems forced and not natural. Also contemporary academic research shows caliph Umar didn’t actually order the burning of the Library of Alexandria.

[@lightdarklightdarklightdark]

enter war hammer 40k

[@elinope4745]

I'm still pushing that boulder up that hill. I expect payment in lolies, not excuses. That's the price for me being gentle with the hill.

[@honestlyforreal6304]

Dial back the passionate inflection. It's interupting the content like bad acting. Just read the audience and naturally convey the message.

[@leslietroy2869]

The listener shouldn't have to work at understanding the words as well as understanding the ideas.

[@leslietroy2869]

Why does he make the music so dominant that it's hard to understand him. I soon stopped listening

[@Aestheticaye]

Pretty foolish to assume that the Egyptian gods are not (were not) real.

[@I-AM-KingPaulWall]

Pretty petty nitpicking something mildly irrelevant to the totality of the message 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@Aestheticaye]

@@I-AM-KingPaulWall I understand that, but our present-day presuppositions regarding ontology and the hierarchies of Being says a lot on how we approach and apply the teachings of these philosophical thinkers.

[@I-AM-KingPaulWall]

@Aestheticaye Touché 🙌🏿👌🏿. But at the same time, they may not have been real; they could just be allegorical interpretations of knowledges that needed to be passed down through the ages.

[@sorinbalanescu6819]

He looks like an evil Asian mastermind! 😂😂😂

[@YawnGod]

You know, when you wear a suit, you are wearing the uniform of corruption. Lol.

[@sandiashvrR]

Lol

[@bi.johnathan]

Nay, im an athlete who delights in fighting naked

[@darillus1]

yes, looks like a businessman who decided to have a go at philosophy

[@bblanco9698]

This is false.

[@YawnGod]

@@bblanco9698 What's false?

[@Gitohandro]

2:28 Sophistry spotted... He's making baseless assumptions as he's provided no sources. Lol also this mf is counting Egypt as the West 😂😂😂

[@2ndPortal]

The mountain is the mountain and the painting is the painting, it's not trying to be, it is what it is. This guy is too far gone in the head

[@jaketron.seattle]

Not gonna lie, this gets boring 40 minutes in 😑

[@montymonto6430]

I did not watch the video only 1 minute of it. However the presenter is so full of himself and this is a bad omen for a philosophy discussion. Sir, I'm out of here!

[@cravatenoire3269]

care to explain ?

[@montymonto6430]

@@cravatenoire3269 I already did. The guy is full of himself. I did not say my reason is necessarily correct. But I'm allergic to pretentiousness.

[@user-ws2gn3wp4s]

OMG guy. For the sake of your career path, be able to make points like this in half time time

[@helicopter_traffic]

have u ever seen a college lecture or any lecture ever

[@naiminterim]

You must value the additional information as much as the big picture point

[@aggelosvasilis7457]

It would be much better if you had your own identity, my friend. Copying Michael Sugrue's success is rather unoriginal.

[@abdul_muhsin97]

We all have role models. It ain't bad to imitate as long as it is artfully done.

[@aggelosvasilis7457]

@@abdul_muhsin97 straight out coping is bad.

[@JebidiahKrackedyetagain-xv9hc]

Rousseau eh?? The late Colin Wilson had some interesting things to say about him.... But I will watch this video more in depth AFTER I had my fill of legal and barely legal "T&A" videos, and maybe one or two "cute cat/puppy" videos... Just felt very compelled to leave this comment now--without watching this video in its entirety. 😶🫡