A Discourse on Inequality

Why are some people rich and others poor? Is inequality natural or man-made? In this landmark work of Enlightenment philosophy, Jean-Jacques Rousseau takes us back to the imagined origins of human society to uncover the roots of our deepest social divisions. Written with startling clarity and moral urgency, the "Discourse on Inequality" argues that the first person who enclosed a piece of land and said "This is mine" set humanity on a path of corruption, competition, and injustice. Yet Rousseau does not simply condemn civilization—he asks us to examine what we have lost and what we might still become. This modern-English edition strips away the archaic phrasing of older translations while preserving Rousseau's powerful reasoning and rhetorical force. Whether you are new to philosophy or returning to a classic, this volume offers a faithful, readable encounter with one of the most provocative works ever written. Part of The Modern Wisdom Library.