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A Discourse Upon the Origin and the Foundation of the Inequality Among Mankind

by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Translated by Charles W. Eliot (1834–1926).

This work presents Rousseau’s belief in the profoundly transformational effects of the development of civilization on human nature, which Rousseau claims other political philosophers had failed to grasp. Specifically, before the onset of civilization, according to Rousseau, natural man lived a contented, solitary life, naturally good and happy. It is only with the onset of civilization, Rousseau claims, that humans become social beings, and, concomitant with their civilization, natural man becomes corrupted with the social vices of pride, vanity, greed and servility. (summary by brachypelma)

CD booklet
Album Art

• Gutenberg e-text
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• Wikipedia – Discourse on Inequality
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Total running time: 2:45:45
Read by ej

mp3 and ogg files

• 1 – Introduction, Opening Section – 00:10:45
  [mp3@64kbps - 5.1MB]
  [mp3@128kbps - 10.3MB]
  [ogg vorbis - 5.8MB]
• 2 – Discourse First Part – Part 1 – 00:17:56
  [mp3@64kbps - 8.6MB]
  [mp3@128kbps - 17.2MB]
  [ogg vorbis - 9.6MB]
• 3 – Discourse First Part – Part 2 – 00:24:05
  [mp3@64kbps - 11.5MB]
  [mp3@128kbps - 23.1MB]
  [ogg vorbis - 13.1MB]
• 4 – Discourse First Part – Part 3 – 00:32:29
  [mp3@64kbps - 15.5MB]
  [mp3@128kbps - 31.1MB]
  [ogg vorbis - 17.7MB]
• 5 – Discourse Second Part – Part 1 – 00:39:22
  [mp3@64kbps - 18.9MB]
  [mp3@128kbps - 37.8MB]
  [ogg vorbis - 21.5MB]
• 6 – Discourse Second Part – Part 2 – 00:41:08
  [mp3@64kbps - 19.7MB]
  [mp3@128kbps - 39.4MB]
  [ogg vorbis - 22.5MB]

Cataloged on September 24, 2007