Modern soceity is synonymous with progress, isn't it? Not according to the eighteenth century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He argued that civilization is for the most part morally corrupting. Melissa Lane explains his position in this episode of Philosophy Bites.
Listen to Melissa Lane on Rousseau on Civilization
What a coincidence! I'm reading John Zerzan's "Against Civilization: Readings and Reflections" and there's a 3 page extract from Rousseau's discourse on the origins of inequality. You've aroused my curiosity; so I'm going to read Rousseau's confessions next. 2 Thumbs up!
Posted by: Gavin Bong | July 12, 2008 at 01:50 PM