On Imposture

<p>Imposture is an abuse of power. It is the act of lying for one's own benefit of disguising the truth in order to mislead. For Jean-Jacques Rousseau however imposture is first and foremost power <i>itself</i>. In <i>On Imposture </i>French philosopher Serge Margel explores imposture within Rousseau's <i>Discourses Confessions </i> and <i>Emile. <br /><br /></i>For Rousseau taking power using it or abusing it are ultimately one and the same act. Once there's power and someone grants themselves the means the right and the authority to force another's beliefs or actions there is imposture. According to Rousseau imposture can be found through human history society and culture. <br /><br />Using a deconstructionist method<i> </i>in the classic manner of Derrida On Imposture explores Rousseau's thought concerning imposture and offers a unique analysis of its implications for politics civil society literature and existentialist thought.</p>