A Discourse Upon the Origin and the Foundation Of - The Inequality Among Mankind

The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Discourse Upon The Origin And The Foundation Of The Inequality Among Mankind,by Jean Jacques RousseauThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: A Discourse Upon The Origin And The Foundation Of The Inequality Among MankindAuthor: Jean Jacques RousseauRelease Date: February 17, 2004 [EBook #11136]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK INEQUALITY AMONG MANKIND ***A Discourse Upon The Origin And The Foundation Of The Inequality AmongMankindBy J. J. RousseauINTRODUCTORY NOTEJean Jacques Rousseau was born at Geneva, June 28, 1712, the son of a watchmaker of French origin. His educationwas irregular, and though he tried many professions—including engraving, music, and teaching—he found it difficult tosupport himself in any of them. The discovery of his talent as a writer came with the winning of a prize offered by theAcademy 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 the tendency of civilization was degrading that he became atonce famous. The discourse here printed on the causes of inequality among men was written in a similar competition.He now concentrated his powers upon ...