Discourse on the Origin of Inequality

The Norton Library edition of Rousseau’s Discourse features an inviting and readable translation by Julia Conaway Bondanella that makes the text accessible to the modern English reader while faithfully preserving the power and clarity of Rousseau’s voice and style of argumentation. A thorough introduction by Frederick Neuhouser—"one of the most brilliant philosophical readers of Rousseau that we have” (Christopher Brooke)—provides historical and intellectual context for the Discourse and its major arguments. Annotations throughout the text clarify obscure or ambiguous terms and references.