Chutes de philosophes : entre tragédie et farce

This study repositions the tale of Jean-Jacques’s accident in the “Second Walk” within the tradition of tales of falling philosophers related, at times, through a dramatic and serious tone or, at others, through a burlesque and trivial one. It concentrates, in particular, on the ancient paradigm of the scholar and astronomer Thales of Miletus’ falling down a well, which gave rise to very varied interpretations. Re-establishing such a context allows to shed a new light on the Rousseauist episode and to appreciate its singularity.