Discourse on the Origin of Inequality

Does the state of nature require historical evidence, or do you agree with Rousseau that reason alone can assemble an accurate portrait? In other words, does it need to be factually verifiable to be philosophically true?

Rousseau’s depiction of humanity depends in part on assumptions about animals as operating fully in accordance with nature, with no need for artificial socialization. Is this an accurate way of looking at animals? If at least some kinds of animals behave differently from what Rousseau describes, does that cause problems for his depiction of humanity?

The Discourse on Inequality is one of the most famous examples of the “noble savage” theory, which imagines a person or group of people who are morally superior for living in harmony with nature. This trope remains very much alive—for example, in the Avatar films. Do you agree with Rousseau that the absence of progress can be a sign of virtue?

Do you agree with Rousseau that there are immutable qualities that make up human nature, as distinguished from what people learn as members of society?

Thomas Hobbes argues that without a government individuals will be at war, whereas Rousseau argues that the pre-political condition was peaceful. Which do you find more persuasive, and why? Use examples from the text to support your answer.

Human children mature more slowly than the offspring of most other animals. Is it realistic to suppose as Rousseau does that relatively young children could survive on their own, that mothers would quickly forget them, and that fathers would take no interest at all?

Rousseau argues that people in the state of nature are motivated by the desire for self-preservation and pity, while people in society are motivated primarily by vanity. How does this difference in motivation shape how people treat each other in these two conditions?

Contemporary culture remains fascinated with the idea of returning to nature, from classic works of literature such as Lord of the Flies to television shows like Survivor. Why might the idea of returning to nature retain so much popularity? How do these depictions compare with Rousseau’s?