"There is much more that could be said on this subject, of course, as on the many other aspects of Rousseau’s philosophy upon which Scott advances deeply insightful and thought-provoking interpretations. One of the many successes of Rousseau’s God is that it shifts the burden of proof onto those who think that the Vicar does represent Rousseau’s own views. Anyone wishing to defend that interpretation henceforth should either respond to Scott’s forceful challenges or conclude that Rousseau was inconsistent on topics of central importance to his thought."
 

Review of Politics

"Rousseau’s God considers an important question in the manner it deserves: thoroughly. Scott succeeds in reconstructing the entire complex edifice of Rousseau’s theology and relating it to the broader and even more complex context of Rousseau’s thought as a whole. This is a remarkable achievement and a major contribution to understanding Rousseau."

Clifford Orwin | University of Toronto

"Rousseau’s God is an original and wide-ranging examination of Rousseau’s theological and religious writings. John Scott draws fertile connections to other key concepts in Rousseau’s broader project and pulls together multiple analytical threads into an exceptionally lucid and comprehensive interpretation that shows just how deeply the distinction between truth and utility permeates Rousseau’s treatment of religion (both doctrine and practice) throughout his works."

Denise Schaeffer | College of the Holy Cross