Overview

Discourse on Inequality was written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and published in 1755. It is one of the most powerful critiques of modernity ever written. Rousseau traces the psychological and political effects of modern society on human nature and demonstrates that human evolution and the development of inequality between men are closely related. The result is both a sweeping explanation of how modern man was created and a sharp criticism of unequal modern political institutions.

Read the overall summary, the overall analysis, and explanations of important quotes from Discourse on Inequality. Or, learn more by studying SparkNotes guides to other works by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

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