Jean-Jeacques Rousseau (1712-1778) is considered to be one of the most influential, most controversial, and greatest political philosophers. Timothy O'Hagan investigates Rousseau’s notions on the formation of humanity, of the individual and of the citizen. O'Hagan explores Rousseau’s reflections on individual psychology, the nature of political order, relations between the sexes, language and religion with great precision and clarity. He takes Rousseau’s arguments seriously and critically, giving them a close and sympathetic reading. Though he writes as a philosopher, not a historian, he does not lose sight of Rousseau’s context.