Discourse on the Origin of Inequality

In "Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men," philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau explores the nature and evolution of inequality, addressing the question posed by the Dijon Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1754. The work is structured into four parts, including discussions on natural and moral inequality, the latter of which Rousseau argues is a construct of civil society rather than rooted in natural law. He presents a critical view of civil society, suggesting that it disrupts the inherent independence and freedom of individuals.