Rousseau attacks the social and political effects of the dominant forms of scientific knowledge. Contains the entire First Discourse, contemporary attacks on it, Rousseau's replies to his critics, and his summary of the debate in his preface to Narcissus. A number of these texts have never before been available in English. The First Discourse and Polemics demonstrate the continued relevance of Rousseau's thought. Whereas his critics argue for correction of the excesses and corruptions of knowledge and the sciences as sufficient, Rousseau attacks the social and political effects of the dominant forms of scientific knowledge.

A fascinating examination of the relationship between civilization and inequality from one of history’s greatest minds The first man to erect a fence around a piece of land and declare it his own founded civil society—and doomed mankind to millennia of war and famine. The dawn of modern civilization, argues Jean-Jacques Rousseau in this essential treatise on human nature, was also the beginning of inequality. One of the great thinkers of the Enlightenment, Rousseau based his work in compassion for his fellow man. The great crime of despotism, he believed, was the raising of the cruel above the weak. In this landmark text, he spells out the antidote for man’s ills: a compassionate revolution to pull up the fences and restore the balance of mankind. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

'Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains.' These are the famous opening words of a treatise that has stirred vigorous debate ever since its first publication in 1762. Rejecting the view that anyone has a natural right to wield authority over others, Rousseau argues instead for a pact, or 'social contract', that should exist between all the citizens of a state and that should be the source of sovereign power. From this fundamental premise, he goes on to consider issues of liberty and law, freedom and justice, arriving at a view of society that has seemed to some a blueprint for totalitarianism, to others a declaration of democratic principles. Translated by Quintin Hoare With a new introduction by Christopher Bertram

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 'Discourse on the Origin of Inequality' is a philosophical treatise that delves into the origins and effects of social inequality. Written in the form of a dialogue between two characters, this book presents Rousseau's thought-provoking ideas on the state of nature, the development of human society, and the emergence of inequality. Rousseau's writing style is both compelling and thought-provoking, as he challenges conventional views on the nature of man and society. Through logical arguments and vivid examples, he seeks to uncover the root causes of inequality and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. Set against the backdrop of the Enlightenment era, this book offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the societal structures that shape our lives. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, a renowned philosopher and political theorist, was known for his radical ideas on education, politics, and society. His experiences as a thinker and writer influenced his views on inequality and the human condition, leading him to write this groundbreaking work. I highly recommend 'Discourse on the Origin of Inequality' to readers interested in exploring the philosophical roots of social inequality and the complexities of human nature.

Offers an interpretation of the theory of freedom in the Social Contract. The author gives a careful analysis of Rousseau's theory of the social pact, and then examines the kinds of freedom that it brings about, showing how Rousseau's individualist and collectivist aspects fit into a larger and logically coherent theory of human liberty.