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Neidleman’s talk tackles Rosseau

Speaking on “Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Philo­sophy of Truth,” Jason Neidleman, professor of political science, made the first presentation at the Faculty Lecture Series Sept. 10 in the President’s Dining Room. Neidleman received his master’s degree and doctorate from Harvard University. / photo by Leah Heagy
Speaking on “Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Philo­sophy of Truth,” Jason Neidleman, professor of political science, made the first presentation at the Faculty Lecture Series Sept. 10 in the President’s Dining Room. Neidleman received his master’s degree and doctorate from Harvard University. / photo by Leah Heagy

Erin Konrad
Editor in Chief

Jason Neidleman, associate professor of political science, is writing a book about Jean Jacques Rosseau that he claims will be the first text in English about the philosopher “as a theorist of truth.”

Neidleman, Sept. 9, opened the year-long Faculty Lecture Series with his hour-long PowerPoint presentation, “The Sublime Science of Simple Souls: Rosseau’s Many Path­ways to Truth,” which detailed his research on Rosseau.

He confessed to the audience that he was shocked at the amount of writings that are available from the famous author.

“You wouldn’t believe how many letters he wrote,” Neidleman said. “There are up to 50 volumes.”

Rosseau wrote many famous works, including “Letter to D’Alembert” in 1758, “The Social Contract” in 1762 and “Reveries of a Solitary Walker” in 1782.

Neidleman is researching and writing the book, which centers on the 18th century European philosopher Rosseau.

His ULV lecture was a summary of his studies conducted during a sabbatical taken last fall. He was also given a chance to attend the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center for a week of research on Rosseau.

Al Clark, associate vice president of academic affairs and professor of humanities, introduced Neidleman at the beginning of the lecture.

“We have saved the best for first,” Clark said.

Neidleman, who received his bachelor’s degree from UCLA and his master’s degree and doctorate from Harvard University, spoke of how he became interested in Rosseau and why he decided to devote a book to this man.

“I found a greater depth of understanding,” Neidleman said. “He gave me answers to questions that were bigger than just Rosseau.”

Rosseau had many vices that were interesting for Neidleman to discover, including instances of sexual deviancy.

Afterward, he answered questions from the audience.

Kathy Lamkin, professor of music, offered information that she had discovered about Rosseau in her own research.

She noted that she came upon music that Rosseau composed himself.

While he is best known for his writings, Lamkin noted that his music was “very pastoral and lyrical.”

“His music always included everyday sounds that occur in nature,” Lamkin said.

David Chappell, associate professor of physics, commented that “Rosseau’s writings almost remind me of Thoreau. There is a strong desire to commune with nature.”

Neidleman’s lecture was given to more than 20 faculty, staff and students in the President’s Dining Room.

The next presentation in the Faculty Lecture series will be Bill Cook, professor of English, with “Blinded by Belief: Faith vs. Freedom” Tuesday at noon in the President’s Dining Room.

Erin Konrad can be reached at erin.konrad@laverne.edu.

Erin Konrad
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Leah Heagy
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