Profession of Faith of a Savoyard Vicar
by Jean-Jacques Rousseau · Profession de foi du vicaire savoyard
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1762
- Form
- Theology
- Language
- French
- Length
- Short · 70 ppunder 120 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendEmile, or On Education, translated by Allan BloomBasic Books, 1979The Profession is best read in Book IV of Emile, where Rousseau placed it; Bloom's is the standard translation.
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The long speech embedded in Book IV of Emile in which a Savoyard priest, speaking to a young man who has lost his faith, sets out a natural religion. From the evidence of his own consciousness he argues for a will that moves the universe, for an intelligent God, for the freedom and immortality of the soul, and for conscience as an infallible inner voice. He then rejects revelation and dogma as unnecessary. The passage led directly to the condemnation of Emile in 1762.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Profession of Faith of a Savoyard Vicar are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.