Isn't human intelligence and creativity something good? Do they not bring progress to humanity in all areas? Or is man just a disruptive factor in the world? Over 250 years ago, Rousseau first expressed this suspicion in his famous speech, thus marking the dawn of modern cultural pessimism. The European Enlightenment promoted the belief in modern progress, but Rousseau took on the role of its guilty conscience. This complete new translation offers an accurate commentary and a helpful afterword in addition to the original French text.