Theory on the Origin of Human Inequality – Understanding in 2mins
Human inequality has deep historical roots, extending back to even before the Stone Age. The introduction of agriculture, private property, and social hierarchies led to divisions among individuals, giving rise to disparities in wealth, status, and opportunity. These disparities stem from unequal resource access, power imbalances, and discrimination, and as societies developed, these factors became intertwined, exacerbating inequality over generations. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s theory offers a framework for understanding human emotions and desires, positing that inequality is an unnatural development in human society. By examining the nature of humans in their primal state, dating back to pre-Stone Age times, Rousseau’s theory provides valuable insights into the origins and evolution of human inequality.
The theory of human inequality explores the evolution of inequality from our natural state:
- Capacity for self-improvement – Humans cannot desire or fear what they do not know. The boundless potential for self-improvement is the source of human misery, as it fosters an insatiable desire for possession. When possession becomes habitual, its absence causes pain and unhappiness, even though it may not necessarily guarantee happiness.
- Self-Love – As the first step towards inequality and vice, selfishness (Self-Love) is inherent in human nature. In the natural state, where society and laws are absent, selfishness serves as a primitive form of law.
- Private property – As humans formed groups to overcome challenges, they began comparing various aspects of life, developing concepts of beauty and value, and experiencing emotions like love. This led to discord among people and competition for attention through displays of skill. Inequality, along with passions such as vanity, contempt, shame, and envy, emerged during this time.
According to Rousseau, this was the most blissful period for humanity. However, the discovery of iron and wheat, and the invention of metallurgy and agriculture, marked the beginning of mankind’s misfortune. These developments introduced private property, perpetuating inequality. The distinction between the rich and poor became evident, dividing society into rulers and subjects and inciting violence and plunder. Warfare ensued, and only the rich, fearing the loss of their property, established laws for justice and peace. While people believed these laws would protect their lives and possessions, they inadvertently surrendered their freedom to powerful forces.
The emergence of one society prompted the creation of others, leading to a world filled with competing societies. Wars between peoples transformed into wars between nations, with no power capable of preventing such conflicts.
From this point on, only two paths remained: either a revolution would completely dismantle governance, or society would move closer to a legitimate political system. The individual living in the wild exists within themselves, whereas the societal individual exists outside of themselves, living according to others’ evaluations. It is only through the judgment of others that one can truly experience the feeling of being alive.
Conclusion:
Rousseau writes the following as a conclusion to the state of nature
Without any living skills, language, housing, war, or alliances, the savage wandered the forest, not needing any companions at all, and not wanting to hurt anyone, perhaps never even remembering them personally. He was content to follow only a few passions, having just the light of emotions and knowledge unique to this state. He felt his true desires and only saw what he thought was beneficial to himself, so his intellect never progressed like his vanity. Even if a discovery happened to be made, he could not pass it on, as he had no memory of his own children. Technology perished with the inventor. There was no education or progress. Generations were piled up in vain. And, because each generation always started from the same point, centuries passed in their initial rough state.
The unlimited ability of self-improvement was the source of all human misery. It was self-improvement that was the root of all evil.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Rousseau
Discourse on Inequality – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_on_Inequality
