The Ruins; Or, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires and the Law of Nature (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. Enlightenment Meditations on Empire, Natural Law, and RevolutionBy C.-F. Volney
Length9h 57m
About this audiobook
Published in 1791, The Ruins; Or, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires and the Law of Nature is a landmark of late Enlightenment political philosophy. Framed as a visionary meditation among the ruins of ancient civilizations, especially those of the Near East, the work combines travel writing, historical reflection, comparative religion, and republican critique. Its elevated, prophetic prose exposes the fragility of empires founded on conquest, priestcraft, and inequality, while arguing for a universal moral order grounded in reason and natural law. C.-F. Volney, the pen name of Constantin-François de Chassebœuf, Comte de Volney, was a French philosopher, traveler, and public intellectual shaped by the intellectual ferment preceding and accompanying the French Revolution. His journeys through Egypt and Syria furnished him with archaeological and cultural impressions that deepened his historical imagination. As a disciple of Enlightenment rationalism, he sought to replace inherited dogma with comparative inquiry and civic freedom. This book is recommended to readers interested in the origins of modern secular political thought, the philosophy of history, and revolutionary literature. It remains compelling for anyone who asks why civilizations collapse and whether justice can be rebuilt on universal human principles.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.1 (394)
Includes Goodreads, Amazon, LibraryThing
GenrePhilosophy
Length9 hrs 57 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 20, 2023
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1On the Firmness of the Wise Man (Annotated)
2PHILADELPHIA TRANSLATION.
3LIFE OF VOLNEY
4THE JOURNEY.
5THE REVERIE.
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6THE APPARITION.
7THE EXPOSITION
8CONDITION OF MAN IN THE UNIVERSE.
9THE PRIMITIVE STATE OF MAN.
10PRINCIPLES OF SOCIETY.
11SOURCES OF THE EVILS OF SOCIETY.
12ORIGIN OF GOVERNMENT AND LAWS.
13GENERAL CAUSES OF THE PROSPERITY OF ANCIENT STATES.
14GENERAL CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTIONS AND RUIN OF ANCIENT STATES.
15LESSONS OF TIMES PAST REPEATED ON THE PRESENT.
16WILL THE HUMAN RACE IMPROVE?
17THE GREAT OBSTACLE TO IMPROVEMENT.
18THE NEW AGE.
19A FREE AND LEGISLATIVE PEOPLE.
20UNIVERSAL BASIS OF ALL RIGHT AND ALL LAW.
21CONSTERNATION AND CONSPIRACY OF TYRANTS.
22GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NATIONS.
23THE SEARCH OF TRUTH.
24PROBLEM OF RELIGIOUS CONTRADICTIONS.
25ORIGIN AND FILIATION OF RELIGIOUS IDEAS. (pt. 1)
26ORIGIN AND FILIATION OF RELIGIOUS IDEAS. (pt. 2)
27ALL RELIGIONS HAVE THE SAME OBJECT.
28SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM OF CONTRADICTIONS.
29OF THE LAW OF NATURE.
30CHARACTERS OF THE LAW OF NATURE.
31PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW OF NATURE RELATING TO MAN.
32CHAPTER IV.
33OF INDIVIDUAL VIRTUES.
34ON TEMPERANCE.
35ON CONTINENCE.
36ON COURAGE AND ACTIVITY.
37ON CLEANLINESS.
38ON DOMESTIC VIRTUES.
39THE SOCIAL VIRTUES; JUSTICE.
40DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL VIRTUES.
41VOLNEY'S ANSWER TO DR. PRIESTLY.*
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