European History Available 10/10  Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality among Men First Edition ©  2011 Jean Jacques Rousseau Helena Rosenblatt Overview Table of Contents About the Author(s) Testimonials Buy This Book Exam & Desk Copies A provocative essay that challenged the superiority of civilized society and modern government, Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality made him an outcast among fellow Enlightenment thinkers but stands today as one of the most important political texts in Western history. Helena Rosenblatt's new translation, introduction, and selection of related documents help students comprehend why Rousseau's criticisms of human nature, political hierarchy, and private property were so controversial in his time yet later were hailed as a foundation of democracy. The introduction explores life experiences that shaped Rousseau's philosophy, explains contemporary ideas about political authority and social order, and guides students through Rousseau's thought, including explanations of how his work anticipated theories about evolution and inspired leaders of the French Revolution. Related primary documents -- including a selection from Rousseau's Social Contract -- situate Rousseau's ideas in contemporary political and social thought. Questions for consideration, a chronology of Rousseau's life and work, and a selected bibliography enrich students' understanding of the man and his times.   “This work provides opportunities for discussion on several levels and its organization and presentation of ideas will be revealing to new students and a model for those in advanced classes. The related documents build a solid basis for considering Rousseau's concepts within the context of the eighteenth-century debate over politics, society, and nature.” -- Charlie R. Steen, University of New Mexico   Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality among Men by Jean-Jacques Rousseau with Related Documents Paper Text, 176pgs. ISBN: 0-312-46842-3 ISBN-13: 978-0-312-46842-2 Our Retail Price to Students: $15.95 Wholesale Price to Bookstores: $12.00