A Discourse Upon The Origin And The F..., JeanJacques Rousseau
A Discourse Upon The Origin And The F..., JeanJacques Rousseau
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A Discourse Upon The Origin And The Foundation Of The Inequality Among Mankind

Author: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Narrator: Liam Johnson

Unabridged: 2 hr 28 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Stream Readers

Published: 03/04/2023


Synopsis

"A Discourse Upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality Among Mankind" is a philosophical treatise by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, written in the mid-18th century. The book is a critique of social inequality and a proposal for a more just and equitable society.In the book, Rousseau argues that the concept of inequality is not natural, but rather a product of social and political institutions. He proposes that in a hypothetical state of nature, before the development of civilization and society, humans were equal and free. However, with the emergence of societal structures such as property, laws, and government, inequality arose.Rousseau proposes a social contract theory, where individuals voluntarily give up some of their natural freedom in exchange for protection and benefits provided by society. He argues that this social contract is the foundation of all legitimate political authority, and that the interests of the collective community (the general will) should take precedence over individual interests.Rousseau also critiques the concept of private property, which he sees as a source of inequality and conflict, and proposes an educational system that emphasizes natural development and moral values, rather than formal education and social status.Throughout the book, Rousseau emphasizes the importance of individual liberty and autonomy, and sees social inequality as a threat to these values. He proposes that justice requires the elimination of inequality and the establishment of a fair and equal society."A Discourse Upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality Among Mankind" is considered one of the foundational texts of modern political philosophy and has had a significant influence on the development of political thought and social theory.

About Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) was one of the most influential thinkers during the Enlightenment in eighteenth-century Europe. His works were, and are, widely read, and he has been firmly established as a significant intellectual figure. His works and ideas influenced several noted philosophers and leaders of the French Revolution.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sean Barrs on April 04, 2021

What does it mean to be a natural human? Rousseau directly engages with this question, contemplating just how far man is removed from what he once was (or is biologically supposed to be.) In developing from his primitive (his natural) state he has lost his origins and place in the natural order of th......more

Goodreads review by David on April 10, 2017

Why rulers are rulers and why we serve them 18 January 2013 I found this book an interesting read and it does has some interesting concepts. While it sort of reads like Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, much of the ideas are based upon speculation and Rousseau's conclusions seem to be little more than......more

Goodreads review by Siddharth on March 13, 2015

I shall hopefully write a proper review once I have composed my thoughts, but for now I will seek to emulate the delighted and reverential tone of those critics whose choiciest lines of praise are plastered on the back-cover, front-cover and insides of books: "A magnificent triumph of imagination, sc......more

Goodreads review by Justin on April 03, 2016

I'm occasionally struck by how bad the great classics of political philosophy are. Consider that, when teaching philosophy, we spend an awful lot of energy convincing students that their arguments have to be tight, they have to avoid fallacies, they have to back up their reasoning, and they have to......more