The writing and masochism of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt at discursive exercises involving the application of modern psychiatric knowledge, treated as a variant of truth-discourse about human sexuality, for the diagnosis of the mental condition of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. An analysis of his “Confessions” shows that in his case one can speak of a strong masochistic tendency. Masochism is analyzed not only in the context of sexual paraphilia. Equally important is proximity of masochistic tendencies and gestures to record his own confessions.