Abstract

The aim of this work is to establish a relationship between the notion of supplement, particularly that of “dangerous supplement”, and the passion for botany in Rousseau. For that, I will take as a guide the interpretations of Jacques Derrida, Alain Grosrichard and Alexandra Cook to analyze some passages from Confessions, Reveries and Letters on the botany. I have the hypothesis that botanical activity can be considered as a kind of inoffensive supplement because it evokes an image that combines sex and innocence.