A Discourse on the Origins of Inequality (edit title)

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Liked It Rated 4 stars “For anyone interested in the history of colonialism or in post-colonial theory, the concept of the "noble savage"--the idea that civilization perverts our natural goodness, therefore "savages" are closer to an ideal state of humanity--rears its head again and again. And any attempt to understand...” see full review » see other reviews »

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  • Rated 4 stars

  “For anyone interested in the history of colonialism or in post-colonial theory, the concept of the "noble savage"--the idea that civilization perverts our natural goodness, therefore "savages" are closer to an ideal state of humanity--rears its head again and again. And any attempt to understand the philosophy behind the "noble savage" begins with Rousseau, especially his Discourse on the Origin of Inequality. A reading of Rousseau's essay, however, reveals that his work has often been grossly oversimplified. Yes, Rousseau argues that "natural" man--he who has not formed communities or societies--lives in equality with his fellow humans, concerned only with existence in the present, and obeying his "natural" impulses to help others, all very Romantic notions. He goes on to argue that ownership--whether of land, foodstuffs, precious metals, or women (read: marriage)--created competition, violence, and subjugation, vices the "civilized" West are infected with. All of this seems to imply that native peoples, innocent of our concepts of land ownership and hoarding, live happier, more moral, almost Utopian lives. However, Rousseau stops short of endorsing the natives encountered in the Carribean, Africa, and Oceania as ideal, asserting that probably no tribe or people existed in his day that were truly "natural"--all had begun traveling to varying degrees down the path towards civilization, so no peoples would be discovered in that smiling, child-like state traditionally attributed to the "noble savages" (a term Rousseau never uses). A thoughtful, if naïve, work, one that would come to have enormous influence, even if its ideas would be twisted by later thinkers and artists.”

  Johnny Waco wrote this review Wednesday, July 30 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No