Tomeki
Cover of Discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes

Discours sur l'origine et les fondements de l'inégalité parmi les hommes

By Jean-Jacques Rousseau

3.33 (3 Ratings)
19 Want to read0 Currently reading3 Have read

Publish Date

1922

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Language

-

Pages

187

Description:

In his Discourses (1755), Rousseau argues that inequalities of rank, wealth and power are the inevitable result of the civilising process. If inequality is intolerable - and Rousseau shows with unparalledled eloquence how it robs us not only of our material but also of our psychological independence - then how can we recover the peaceful self-sufficiency of life in the state of nature? We cannot return to a simpler time, but measuring the costs of progress may help us to imagine alternatives to the corruption and oppressive conformity of modern society. Rousseau's sweeping account of humanity's social and political development epitomises the innovative boldness of the Englightment, and it is one of the most provocative and influential works of the 18th century.