A Discourse Upon The Origin And The Foundation Of The Inequality Among
Mankind
By J. J. Rousseau
Jean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June 28, 1712, the son of awatchmaker of French origin. His education was irregular, and thoughhe tried many professions—including engraving, music, andteaching—he found it difficult to support himself in any of them. Thediscovery of his talent as a writer came with the winning of a prizeoffered by the Academy of Dijon for a discourse on the question,"Whether the progress of the sciences and of letters has tended tocorrupt or to elevate morals." He argued so brilliantly that thetendency of civilization was degrading that he became at once famous.The discourse here printed on the causes of inequality among men waswritten in a similar competition.
He now concentrated his powers upon literature, producing two novels,"La Nouvelle Heloise," the forerunner and parent of endlesssentimental and picturesque fictions; and "Emile, ou l'Education," awork which has had enormous influence on the theory and practise ofpedagogy down to our own time and in which the Savoyard Vicar appears,who is used as the mouthpiece for Rousseau's own religious ideas. "LeContrat Social" (1762) elaborated the doctrine of the discourse oninequality. Both historically and philosophically it is unsound; butit was the chief literary source of the enthusiasm for liberty,fraternity, and equality, which inspired the leaders of the FrenchRevolution, and its effects passed far beyond France.
His most famous work, the "Confessions," was published after hisdeath. This book is a mine of information as to his life, but it isfar from trustworthy; and the picture it gives of the author'spersonality and conduct, though painted in such a way as to make itabsorbingly interesting, is often unpleasing in the highest degree.But it is one of the great autobiographies of the world.
During Rousseau's later years he was the victim of the delusion ofpersecution; and although he was protected by a succession of goodfriends, he came to distrust and quarrel with each in turn. He died atErmenonville, near Paris, July 2, 1778, the most widely influentialFrench writer of his age.
The Savoyard Vicar and his "Profession of Faith" are introduced into"Emile" not, according to the author, because he wishes to exhibit hisprinciples as those which should be taught, but to give an example ofthe way in which religious matters should be discussed with the young.Nevertheless, it is universally recognized that these opinions areRousseau's own, and represent in short form his characteristicattitude toward religious belief. The Vicar himself is believed tocombine the traits of two Savoyard priests whom Rousseau knew in hisyouth. The more important was the Abbe Gaime, whom he had known atTurin; the other, the Abbe Gatier, who had taught him at Annecy.
What is the Origin of the Inequality among Mankind; and whether such
Inequality is authorized by the Law of Nature?
'Tis of man I am to speak; and the very question, in answer to which Iam to speak of him, sufficiently informs me that I am going to speakto men; for to those alone, who are not afraid of honouring truth, itbelongs to propose discussions of this kind. I shall thereforemaintain with confidence the cause of mankind before the sages, whoinvite me to stand up in its defence; and I shall thin