Discourse on the Origin of Inequality is a work written by author Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Originally written in the mid-18th century, it is an attempt to answer the question, ""What is the origin of inequality among men, and is it authorized by natural law?" as a part of a competition by the Academie de Dijon. The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality is a key work on the differences among men and was opposite of Thomas Hobbes' view that pre-civilized man was in a state of all against all warfare, but rather Rousseau ...
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Discourse on the Origin of Inequality is a work written by author Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Originally written in the mid-18th century, it is an attempt to answer the question, ""What is the origin of inequality among men, and is it authorized by natural law?" as a part of a competition by the Academie de Dijon. The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality is a key work on the differences among men and was opposite of Thomas Hobbes' view that pre-civilized man was in a state of all against all warfare, but rather Rousseau believed that man in a natural state is more accurately described as a noble savage. This is an important work for those interested in the works and beliefs of both Jean-Jacques Rousseau as well as his contemporary Thomas Hobbes.
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Rousseau is one of the most renowned and respected thinkers of three some odd centuries ago. That the basis for some of his philosophizing is today outdated, making his argument and his conclusions seem almost ridiculous is obvious just by reading the first few pages of this brief essay. Statements and claims about the understanding Europeans had of the "noble savage" are, by today's understanding, ridiculous, formed by an imperfect examination of Native Americans and a totally mistaken representation of their culture and government.