Fatal Enlightenment- Discourse on the Origin of Inequality by Rousseau

Philosopher, novelist, playwright and composer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 1778) became a leading figure of the Enlightenment as one of its sharpest critics. His Discourse on the Origin and the Foundations of Inequality Among Men (1755)—a trenchant analysis of the political, moral and psychological hazards of civil society, and of the alienation of the modern self captivated Rousseaus contemporaries, and remains compelling to this day. (Power points version here: http://tiny.cc/ikblc437 )

Webcast sponsored by Irving K. Barber Learning Centre

Category:

Education

Tags:

• IKBLC
• Arts One
• philosophy
• Rousseau
• inequality
• civil society

[kiviaavikko]

Right now our understanding of the human condition is that all will be fine as long as we take our medication and go to work. That is really what it boils down to. And any criticism of this reality is met with incredulity, denial and even hostility everywhere outside the confines of the humanities department.

[nansir]

The last sentence is a beaut. Free yourselves, join the Zeitgeist Movement.

[soyfern]

watch Zeitgeist ADDENDUM as well : )

[MrIzzyDizzy]

there is a movement (1000+ chapters aroumd the world) to advance this philosophy. watch zeitgeiest moving forward and join the zeitgeist movement. with respect to reason(as a problem) though it isnt- its more of a reason which wants to establish equality and refute the reason which is leading us to selfish self destruction. and in fact is wholly a proponent of science but with a strong acknowledgement to our symbiotic realtions with nature and each other and is actualy a how to fix it idea

[nahamsharc]

@kiviaavikko I think you're right. I'm beginning to feel that mediocrity is now the norm, and no social good can come from a mediocre goal for society.

[bgredneck90]

i would like to punch this man in the crotch

[Hackiesacker007]

Excellent video, the professor speaking is amazing.