Is Rousseau's Discourse On The Origin Of Inequality?

Throughout the eighteenth century there were many philosophical figures that helped in shaping the socio-political and economic landscapes in France. There were certain ideals that French citizens hoped to embody, such as liberty, equality, fraternity and popular sovereignty. Many of these ideas were transcendent in that they had been somewhat integrated into society, however there was never a total embodiment of these values within the state. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was known as the “Father of the French Revolution”, considered to be the epitome of the “Natural Man”. He spearheaded the campaign for these values to be instilled in the state. Rousseau wrote many works, but his two most well known works are The Social Contract and The Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. Both of these readings articulate the

This work is interesting in that many viewed it as outrageous while others deeply contemplated the argument that he presents. In this work, Rousseau argues that human beings are essentially good by nature and that they are at their best in the natural state, when only responsible for themselves. He also adds that as man’s knowledge increases his ignorance of the true nature of man increases also.“Knowing nature so little and agreeing so poorly on the meaning of the word “law,” it would be quite difficult to come to some common understanding regarding a good definition of natural law” (Rousseau 18). Rousseau saw the modern French society that he was living in as unnatural. The artificial man, found in this society, was seen as having less freedom. The vast wealth inequality within this society is one example of the lack of freedom he is discussing. According to Rousseau, this inequality stems from the government, an institution which he believes should function to protect the freedom of man, not discourage