A Discourse Upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality Among Mankind

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"A Discourse Upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality Among Mankind" by Jean-Jacques Rousseau is a philosophical treatise written in 1754 and published in 1755. Rousseau challenges conventional views by examining how humans evolved from a natural state of independence into civil society. He argues that moral inequality stems not from nature but from social conventions, particularly private property. Exploring concepts like human perfectibility and self-love, Rousseau critiques how civilization transformed peaceful, self-sufficient beings into comparison-driven individuals dependent on others' opinions.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.