Discourse on the Origin of Inequality
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Letter to the Republic of Geneva Preface Part 1 Part 2
Themes
All Themes Critique of the Enlightenment Natural vs. Artificial Inequality Morality and Self-Preservation The Illusion of Progress
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Terms
All Terms State of Nature
Symbols
All Symbols Property The Primitive or “Savage” Man
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Discourse on the Origin of Inequality

by

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Letter to the Republic of Geneva
  • Preface
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Critique of the Enlightenment Theme Icon
    Critique of the Enlightenment
  • Natural vs. Artificial Inequality Theme Icon
    Natural vs. Artificial Inequality
  • Morality and Self-Preservation Theme Icon
    Morality and Self-Preservation
  • The Illusion of Progress Theme Icon
    The Illusion of Progress
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Terms
  • All Terms
  • State of Nature
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Property Symbol Icon
    Property
  • The Primitive or “Savage” Man Symbol Icon
    The Primitive or “Savage” Man
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Terms

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State of Nature

State of Nature

In Discourse on the Origin of Inequality, Rousseau’s state of nature represents a hypothetical condition where humans of the past lived independently, free from societal structures, laws, and institutions. In this state, people were… read analysis of State of Nature
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Previous
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Next
State of Nature
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State of Nature

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