Rousseauian insularity and the problems of self and knowledge in the postmodern world

This thesis identifies a crisis of the self in the postmodern world. It is argued that the Enlightenment quest for the absolute foundations of knowledge has served to alienate western agents from authentic modes of self construction. This thesis proposes the reconciliation of postmodern epistemological groundlessness with the modernist quest for a centered, coherent self. This reconciliation is achieved through a program of Rousseauian insularity. A program entailing the protection of individuals from the harmful alienating forces of society: the program of Rousseauian insularity is derived through reading Rousseau as a theorist of identity. Rousseau's concern with the alienation of humanity from authentic modes of self construction can be seen most prominently in the Second Discourse and Emile. This analysis shows the contemporary relevance of Rousseau's work and provides a new context within which to understand his writings.