of this volume is that Nicolas de Condorcet, a pivotal figure of the French Enlightenment and Revolution, offered a compelling vision of human progress and the perfectibility of man through his political writings.** The book presents a revised translation of 'The Sketch for a Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind,' written during his flight from the Jacobin Terror, alongside other significant but lesser-known works. These include his reflections on the emancipation of women, the abolition of slavery, the nature of freedom versus despotism, and the realities of revolutionary violence. An introduction by Steven Lukes and Nadia Urbinati contextualizes Condorcet's enduring relevance for contemporary discussions on the Enlightenment, progress, and the foundations of social democracy.

This collection is regarded as a significant contribution to understanding the Enlightenment and the French Revolution, highlighting Condorcet's forward-thinking ideas on human progress and social reform. His arguments for the perfectibility of humankind and his advocacy for marginalized groups continue to resonate in modern political discourse. The inclusion of his writings on women's rights, slavery, and freedom, alongside his reflections on revolutionary violence, offers a comprehensive view of his intellectual legacy. The introduction by Lukes and Urbinati situates Condorcet's work within contemporary debates on social democracy and the very concept of progress.