Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality among Men

In this discourse, Rousseau critiques modern society by tracing the psychological and political effects of civilization on human nature.

He distinguishes between natural inequality, which arises from personal attributes like health and strength, and moral or political inequality, which stems from social conventions.

Rousseau uses a hypothetical history to describe humanity's evolution from a state of nature to complex societies, highlighting how the development of property and social structures led to increased inequality.

He argues that these inequalities are not justified by natural law but are instead the result of human conventions and the emergence of civil society.