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.
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Apr 29, 2017 Jean- Jacques Rousseau, is a book in which Rousseau theorized about the best way to establish a political community in the face of the problems of commercial society, which he had already identified in his Discourse on Inequality (1. Liberty Library of Constitutional Classics.
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. A strikingly original inquiry into politics and human nature, the Discourse presents a theoretical view of people in a pre-social condition and the ensuing effects of civilization.
In his sweeping account of social and political development, the author develops a theory of evolution that prefigures Darwinism and encompasses aspects of ethics, sociology, and epistemology. One of the most influential works of the Enlightenment, the Discourse on the Origin of Inequality offers both a thought-provoking account of society's origins and a keen criticism of unequal political institutions. A provocative essay that challenged the superiority of civilized society and modern government, Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality made him an outcast among fellow Enlightenment thinkers but stands today as one of the most important political texts in Western history. Helena Rosenblatt's new translation, introduction, and selection of related documents help students comprehend why Rousseau's criticisms of human nature, political hierarchy, and private property were so controversial in his time yet later were hailed as a foundation of democracy. The introduction explores life experiences that shaped Rousseau's philosophy, explains contemporary ideas about political authority and social order, and guides students through Rousseau's thought, including explanations of how his work anticipated theories about evolution and inspired leaders of the French Revolution. Related primary documents - including a selection from Rousseau's Social Contract - situate Rousseau's ideas in contemporary political and social thought. Questions for consideration, a chronology of Rousseau's life and work, and a selected bibliography enrich students' understanding of the man and his times.
Rousseau first exposes in Discourse on the Origin of Inequality his conception of a human state of nature, presented as a philosophical fiction and of human perfectibility, an early idea of progress. He then explains the way, according to him, people may have established civil society, which leads him to present private property as the original source and basis of all inequality. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778) was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century, mainly active in France. His political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political and educational thought. In 'Discourse on Inequality' or 'Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men' Rousseau first exposes in this work his conception of a human state of nature, presented as a philosophical fiction (like a work by Thomas Hobbes, unlike those by John Locke), and of human perfectibility, an early idea of progress.
He then explains the way, according to him, people may have established civil society, which leads him to present private property as the original source and basis of all inequality. 'The Social Contract', originally published as On the Social Contract; or, Principles of Political Rights by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is a 1762 book in which Rousseau theorized about the best way to establish a political community in the face of the problems of commercial society, which he had already identified in his Discourse on Inequality (1754). The Social Contract helped inspire political reforms or revolutions in Europe, especially in France.
The Social Contract argued against the idea that monarchs were divinely empowered to legislate. Rousseau asserts that only the people, who are sovereign, have that all-powerful right.
Contents: The Social Contract Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Discourse on the Arts and Sciences A Discourse on Political Economy. If we look at human society with a calm and disinterested eye, it seems, at first, to show us only the violence of the powerful and the oppression of the weak.
The mind is shocked at the cruelty of the one, or is induced to lament the blindness of the other.-from the PrefaceAre such concepts of race, class, and wealth inherent to the human condition, or are they results of the development of 'civilization'? One of the most important thinkers of the Enlightenment, which laid the groundwork for the modern mind-set, argues that it is only with the creation of agriculture and urban society that inequalities formed. Controversy swirls around the text-some of today's thinkers continue to consider it profound; others contend that it relies on an unsupportable 'noble savage' foundation.
In either case, this 1752 is one of the greatest works of 18th-century philosophy.Swiss philosopher JEAN JACQUES ROUSSEAU (1712-1778) was a dramatic influence on the French revolution, 19th-century communism, and much modern political thought. His works include Discourse on the Arts and Sciences (1750), Discourse on Political Economy (1755), and The Social Contract, Or Principles of Political Right (1762). Contained within this volume are two discourses by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
In 'A Discourse on the Origin of Inequality' Rousseau examines the causes of the inequalities that exist among men concluding that it is the natural result of the formation of any civilization. In 'A Discourse on Political Economy' Rousseau examines the nature of politics and their effect on people. These two works lay a solid foundation for the political philosophy of Rousseau and are a must read for any student of political science or philosophy. Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men Jean-Jacques Rousseau Translated by Ian Johnston Rousseau's text is divided into four main parts: the dedication, the preface, an extended inquiry into the nature of the human being and another inquiry into the evolution of the human species within society. Also, there is an appendix that elaborates primarily on eighteenth century anthropological research throughout the text.
Rousseau discusses two types of inequality: natural, or physical inequality, and ethical, or moral inequality. Natural inequality involves differences between one human's body and that of another-it is a product of nature.
Rousseau is not concerned with this type of inequality because he claims it is not the root of the inequality found in civil society. Instead, he argues moral inequality is unique to civil society and is evinced in differences in 'wealth, nobility or rank, power and personal merit.' This type of inequality is established by convention. Rousseau appears to take a cynical view of civil society, where man has strayed from his 'natural state' of individual independence and freedom to satisfy his individual needs and desires. His discussion begins with an analysis of a natural man who bears, along with some developed animal species, instincts for self-preservation-a non-destructive love of self (amour de soi meme)-and a 'natural repugnance' to suffering-a natural pity or compassion. Natural man acts only for his own sake and avoids conflicts with other animals (and humans). Rousseau's natural man is more or less like any other animal, with 'self-preservation being his chief and almost sole concern' and 'the only goods he recognizes in the universe' being 'food, a female, and sleep.'
Rousseau's man is a 'savage' man. He is a loner and self-sufficient. Any battle or skirmish was only to protect himself. The natural man was in prime condition, fast, and strong, capable of caring for himself. He killed only for his own self-preservation. Genevan philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was one of the most influential figures of the 18th century.
His political philosophy has been pointed to as a major contributing factor in causing the French Revolution. Social and economic inequality has been a pervasive element of human existence for the entirety of recorded history. The causes of this inequality are principal to the discussion of political, legal, and economic theory. Rousseau acknowledges two primary forces that bring about inequality in the world.
The first is that which arises from natural law. Given the fact that some men are more capable in both their desire and ability to produce wealth, it is only natural that some inequality will arise.
Rousseau argued however that a greater inequality comes from a secondary cause, that which arises from the structural deficiencies of civil society. Central to 'A Discourse on on the Origin of Inequality' is the idea that as civilizations have grown so has the power of the privileged to gain an unnatural advantage over the weaker members of society. As relevant today as when first written, the influence of Rousseau's philosophy on the development of modern society cannot be overstated. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper and follows the translation of G. Discourse On The Origins And The Foundations Of Inequality Among Men Contains Rousseau S Explanation Of How The World Got Into Its Mess. His Imagined Picture Of Life Must Have Been Like Before The State And Society Arose. Human Contact Would Have Been Fitful, And Certainly Not Enough For Men Even To Develop A Language.
Men Would Have Been Unequal In Strength And Cunning In The State Of Nature, But That Would Not Have Led Some Men To Dominate Others Because The Motive For That Domination Would Have Been Lacking. Naturally Unequal Men In The State Of Nature Would Simply Be Unequal Men With Nothing Much To Worry About. It Is Only In Society That Inequality Matters. Individualist and communitarian. Anarchist and totalitarian. Classicist and romanticist. Progressive and reactionary.
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Since the eighteenth century, Jean-Jacques Rousseau has been said to be all of these things. Few philosophers have been the subject of as much or as intense debate, yet almost everyone agrees that Rousseau is among the most important and influential thinkers in the history of political philosophy. This new edition of his major political writings, published in the year of the three-hundredth anniversary of his birth, renews attention to the perennial importance of Rousseau’s work.
The book brings together superb new translations by renowned Rousseau scholar John T. Scott of three of Rousseau’s works: the Discourse on the Sciences and Arts, the Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men, and On the Social Contract. The two Discourses show Rousseau developing his well-known conception of the natural goodness of man and the problems posed by life in society. With the Social Contract, Rousseau became the first major thinker to argue that democracy is the only legitimate form of political organization. Scott’s extensive introduction enhances our understanding of these foundational writings, providing background information, social and historical context, and guidance for interpreting the works. Throughout, translation and editorial notes clarify ideas and terms that might not be immediately familiar to most readers. The three works collected in The Major Political Writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau represent an important contribution to eighteenth-century political theory that has exerted an extensive influence on generations of thinkers, beginning with the leaders of the French Revolution and continuing to the present day.
The new translations on offer here will be welcomed by a wide readership of both Rousseau scholars and readers with a general interest in political thought. Jean Jacques Rousseau was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer of the 18th century. Jean Jacques Rousseau's political philosophy influenced the Enlightenment in France and across Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolution and the overall development of modern political and educational thought. This anthology volume contains three of Jean Jacques Roussseau's most important works: The Social Contract; A Discourse on The Origin of Inequality; And A Discourse on Political Economy.
The Social Contract is one of Jean Jacques Rousseau's works which has influenced politics & government throughout the world. The Social Contract espouses Jean Jacques Rousseau's theory on free will & determinism by delving into what he viewed as the best way to establish a political community in the face of the problems of commercial society. Originally published in 1762, the work helped to inspire political reforms and revolutions in Europe, especially in France. Jean Jacques Rousseau's The Social Contract argued against the idea that monarchs were divinely empowered to legislate and control politics & government; as Rousseau asserts, only the people, who are sovereign, have that all-powerful right. The Social Contract is often required reading for courses in philosophy, politics & government, and politics & social sciences.
On The Origin of Inequality is one of Jean Jacques Rousseau's works which has influenced politics & government throughout the world. On The Origin of Inequality espouses Jean Jacques Rousseau's view that private property is the original source and basis of all inequality. While indirectly delving into the subject of free will & determinism, Rousseau also discusses two types of inequality; natural, or physical inequality, and ethical, or moral inequality. On The Origin of Inequality is often required reading for courses in philosophy, politics & government, and politics & social sciences. On Political Economy espouses Jean Jacques Rousseau's concepts of The General Will as a way for individuals' self interest to unite for a common good. Jean Jacques Rousseau explains that the origing of the word Economy, or OEconomy, is derived from oikos, a house, and nomos, law, and meant originally only the wise and legitimate government of the house for the common good of the whole family. The meaning of the term was then extended to the government of that great family, the State.
To distinguish these two senses of the word, the latter is called general or political economy, and the former domestic or particular economy. Rousseau goes on to explain that two senses of the word economy differ too much in extent to be regulated in the same manner.
On Political Economy is often required reading for courses in economics, philosophy, political economy, politics & government, and politics & social sciences.
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