Origin of Inequality
The Origin of Inequality
Inequality amongst human beings in society is recognized as one of the greatest injustices we face in the world, and every person either benefits from this inequality or is harmed from it. In his Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, Jean- Jacques Rousseau discusses the origin of social inequality in humans. Rousseau uses his own theories on the natural and social state of man to express the reason for inequality in mankind. Even though Rousseau’s argument on the reason for inequality amongst mankind is hypothetical, he explains that the inequality that man has in a societal state results from the rich having an advantage over the poor, and the affects of pity and self-perseveration on mankind as man develops from a natural state to a societal state.
According to Rousseau, inequality in human beings is broken down into two major types. The first type of inequality is natural, and/or physical, which is “established by nature and consists in the difference of age, health, bodily strength, and qualities of mind or soul”(Rousseau 16). While the second type of inequality is moral, and or political, “because it depends on a kind of convention and is established, or at least authorized, by the consent of men,” (Rousseau 16). The main distinction between the two types is that they represent the natural and civil state of man. When referring to the traditional and scriptural view of mankind, men are supposed to portray qualities that make them different from an animal. In his discourse, Rousseau points out that when all the artificial faculties and supernatural gifts given to men by nature are stripped, he no longer portrays any inequalities of that of animal (Rousseau 19). Now man is just an animal who is weaker and less agile than most, but the most advantageously organized of all (Rousseau 19). Therefore he believes that the state of nature for man should not be associated with the artificial faculties of mankind. He dissociates any natural
Inequality amongst human beings in society is recognized as one of the greatest injustices we face in the world, and every person either benefits from this inequality or is harmed from it. In his Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, Jean- Jacques Rousseau discusses the origin of social inequality in humans. Rousseau uses his own theories on the natural and social state of man to express the reason for inequality in mankind. Even though Rousseau’s argument on the reason for inequality amongst mankind is hypothetical, he explains that the inequality that man has in a societal state results from the rich having an advantage over the poor, and the affects of pity and self-perseveration on mankind as man develops from a natural state to a societal state.
According to Rousseau, inequality in human beings is broken down into two major types. The first type of inequality is natural, and/or physical, which is “established by nature and consists in the difference of age, health, bodily strength, and qualities of mind or soul”(Rousseau 16). While the second type of inequality is moral, and or political, “because it depends on a kind of convention and is established, or at least authorized, by the consent of men,” (Rousseau 16). The main distinction between the two types is that they represent the natural and civil state of man. When referring to the traditional and scriptural view of mankind, men are supposed to portray qualities that make them different from an animal. In his discourse, Rousseau points out that when all the artificial faculties and supernatural gifts given to men by nature are stripped, he no longer portrays any inequalities of that of animal (Rousseau 19). Now man is just an animal who is weaker and less agile than most, but the most advantageously organized of all (Rousseau 19). Therefore he believes that the state of nature for man should not be associated with the artificial faculties of mankind. He dissociates any natural
Cited: Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1755. Print.