You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
143 reviews for:
A Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (Translated by G. D. H. Cole)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
3.52 AVERAGE
143 reviews for:
A Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (Translated by G. D. H. Cole)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
3.52 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A unique perspective on human progression - or in the eyes of Rousseau, a lack of it.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Crux of argument is that humanity does not have the capacity to reach state of society in a state of nature without coincidence, which is obviously incorrect - humanity in state of nature has same faculties that we have now. The second part is very interesting.
I love my boi Jean-Jacques but I stg I'm just about finished with him for this semester.
Anyway. Updated essentials from today (live from Butler):
"Give the name of natural law to a collection of these rules, without any other proof than the good that would result from them being universally practiced."
"The mind is shocked at the cruelty of [the violence of the powerful], or is induced to lament the blindness of [the oppression of the weak]; and as nothing is less permanent in life than those external relations, which are more frequently produced by accident than wisdom, and which are called weakness or power, riches or poverty, all human institutions seem at first glance to be founded merely on banks of shifting sand."
"You will soon see the advantage of having all our forces constantly at our disposal, of being always prepared for every event, and of carrying one's self, as it were, perpetually whole and entire about one."
"Man has enemies more formidable, against which is not provided such means of defense: these are the natural infirmities of infancy, old age, and illness of every kind, melancholy proofs of our weakness."
"Nature lays her commands on every animal, and the brute obeys her voice."
"Let us reflect on the inconceivable pains and the infinite space of time that the first invention of languages must have cost."
"In consequence of seeing each other often, they could not do without seeing each other constantly. A tender and pleasant feeling insinuated itself into their souls, and the least opposition turned it into an impetuous fury: with love arose jealousy; discord triumphed, and human blood was sacrificed to the gentlest of all passions."
"In the relations between person and person, the worst that can happen is for one to find himself at the mercy of another."
"Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but not a right to be exacted."
Anyway. Updated essentials from today (live from Butler):
"Give the name of natural law to a collection of these rules, without any other proof than the good that would result from them being universally practiced."
"The mind is shocked at the cruelty of [the violence of the powerful], or is induced to lament the blindness of [the oppression of the weak]; and as nothing is less permanent in life than those external relations, which are more frequently produced by accident than wisdom, and which are called weakness or power, riches or poverty, all human institutions seem at first glance to be founded merely on banks of shifting sand."
"You will soon see the advantage of having all our forces constantly at our disposal, of being always prepared for every event, and of carrying one's self, as it were, perpetually whole and entire about one."
"Man has enemies more formidable, against which is not provided such means of defense: these are the natural infirmities of infancy, old age, and illness of every kind, melancholy proofs of our weakness."
"Nature lays her commands on every animal, and the brute obeys her voice."
"Let us reflect on the inconceivable pains and the infinite space of time that the first invention of languages must have cost."
"In consequence of seeing each other often, they could not do without seeing each other constantly. A tender and pleasant feeling insinuated itself into their souls, and the least opposition turned it into an impetuous fury: with love arose jealousy; discord triumphed, and human blood was sacrificed to the gentlest of all passions."
"In the relations between person and person, the worst that can happen is for one to find himself at the mercy of another."
"Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but not a right to be exacted."
challenging
informative
slow-paced
He's basically an anarchist with this discourse having a lot in common with the Unabomber's manifesto but with all the racist and sexist prejudices of an 18th Century twat. All pure conjecture which he even admits at one point but actually waves it off saying there's obviously no other explanations for what he observes: because this one time therefore I'm right.
Rousseau believes rape is caused by society's laws influenced by women causing men to lust after certain traits of beauty. Something "savage man" doesn't comprehend therefore "savage man" never rapes. Apparently just like the Caribbeans who are all lacking civility but fired by passions. Yet due to their simple/savage nature don't rape.
It gets slightly better in part II but not by much and it's still filled with conjecture and unfounded crap. This book made me angry.
I can't believe this is considered a classic. I swear people just nod their head and agree it's a classic to seem intellectual.
Utter, utter tripe.
Rousseau believes rape is caused by society's laws influenced by women causing men to lust after certain traits of beauty. Something "savage man" doesn't comprehend therefore "savage man" never rapes. Apparently just like the Caribbeans who are all lacking civility but fired by passions. Yet due to their simple/savage nature don't rape.
It gets slightly better in part II but not by much and it's still filled with conjecture and unfounded crap. This book made me angry.
I can't believe this is considered a classic. I swear people just nod their head and agree it's a classic to seem intellectual.
Utter, utter tripe.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Slavery, Violence
challenging
informative
slow-paced