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Why The Poor Support Inequality | Rousseau's Second Discourse Explained

Johnathan Bi

136,958 views

A lecture on Rousseau's Discourse on the Origin of Inequality.

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Some links to further guide your study:
Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io
Full transcript: https://open.substack.com/pub/johnath...

Companion lectures and interviews:
My lecture on Rousseau’s First Discourse: How Intellectuals Poison Society | Roussea...
Frederick Neuhouser on Self-Esteem: Columbia Professor Teaches the Art of Self...
Christopher Kelly on Heroes: Rousseau's Urgent Warning for Modern Socie...

Read the Second Discourse:
Preferred Translation: https://amzn.to/3XIaMPm (affiliate)
My book notes: https://www.johnathanbi.com/p/discour...
Secondary Reconstruction: https://amzn.to/4ekByDc (affiliate)
My book notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/johnath...

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 0. Introduction
00:07:10 1. The Form of Rousseau’s Argument
00:17:09 2.1 The Origin of Inequality: The State of Nature
00:38:04 2.2 The Origin of Inequality: The Golden Age
00:48:11 2.3 The Origin of Inequality: Civilization
00:56:54 2.4 The Origin of Inequality: The State
01:06:50 2.5 The Origin of Inequality: Rousseau's Full Answer
01:13:08 3.1 The Foundations of Inequality: The Abuses of Inequality
01:25:46 3.2 The Foundations of Inequality: The Uses of Inequality
01:42:18 4. Conclusion

20 Comments

@bi.johnathan Creator 2 years ago (edited) Pinned

* Full transcript: https://open.substack.com/pub/johnathanbi/p/transcript-for-rousseau-second-discourse
* Join my email list to be notified of future episodes: greatbooks.io

Companion lectures and interviews:
* My lecture on Rousseau’s First Discourse: https://youtu.be/C8ucJ29O1kM
* Frederick Neuhouser on Self-Esteem: https://youtu.be/bhzg5qbXXVg
* Christopher Kelly on Heroes: https://youtu.be/OMwm-FbzHes

Read the Second Discourse:
* Preferred Translation: https://amzn.to/3XIaMPm (affiliate)
* My book notes: https://www.johnathanbi.com/p/discourse-on-the-origin-of-inequality
* Secondary Reconstruction: https://amzn.to/4ekByDc (affiliate)
* My book notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/johnathanbi/p/rousseaus-critique-of-inequality

TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 0. Introduction
00:07:10 1. The Form of Rousseau’s Argument
00:17:09 1.1 The Form of Rousseau’s Argument: The State of Nature
00:38:04 1.2 The Form of Rousseau’s Argument: Technology
00:48:11 1.3 The Form of Rousseau’s Argument: Civilization
00:56:54 1.4 The Form of Rousseau’s Argument: The State
01:06:50 1.5 The Form of Rousseau’s Argument: Rousseau's Full Answer
01:13:08 2.1 The Foundations of Inequality: The Abuses of Inequality
01:25:46 2.2 The Foundations of Inequality: The Uses of Inequality
01:42:18 3. Conclusion

@SenpaiAustin 2 years ago

2 hours for free is nasty work. Thank you

@florianm5756 2 years ago (edited)

In the modern advent of social media and mindless scrolling, this channel is a beaming beacon of hope. Substance isn't dead.

@EricLeCrennSanchez 2 years ago

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite Youtube channels.

@LohitUchil 2 years ago

Man you are becoming the best Nietzsche and Rousseau lecturer on YouTube. Would like to here more from you about other Nietzsche books in this style

@mspenelope6874 1 year ago

I first found a book by Rousseau as a 14 year old though I came from a tiny rural town with no graduates. It changed everything for me. It helped me survive the great cruelty and abuse of an elite private school. I went on to discover an ethnic cleansing in my PhD fieldwork and was compelled to document it and it’s origin. My life was hard but it was a dignified and worthy life in service of humanity. I would not have done that it I hadn’t read his work in 1984, and I would not have endured and lived a life of purpose.

@johncarrollholmes 2 months ago

Your whole overview of Rousseau , including this video was breathtaking, as was your overview of Nietzsche. Thank you.

@whatever13579 1 year ago

This is my 5th time watching this lecture and every time I learn something new. Oh how great Rousseau is!.

@austenpersons1769 7 months ago

I feel like this is the Modern Michael Sugrue work continued. So articulate and yet so fluid that one cannot simply listen to this without being enamored.

@SeKo1844 1 year ago

This is soo good and slow.. i like how this is not rushed..not edited so much, natural.

@kurdonoid 2 years ago

You are one of the best channels on YouTube, finding your channel has been life-changing. thank you

@abf7172 2 years ago

Thankyou algorithm for pointing me in the direction of my brain itch . This was edifying

@thebestperiod3766 2 years ago

I am tired of watching American Dad on reruns because what I seek to watch on my downtime is almost impossible to find, engaging/thoughtful work. Finding your channel is a godsend, whatever you take that to mean.

@johntrollinski8549 2 years ago

Another treat and a real masterpiece - really appreciate it! Thank you so much for uploading!

@Skargar 2 years ago

Looking forward to him being excellent for the next 50 years and keep documenting this legacy

@DC-uc4sh 1 year ago

The Illusion of Upward Mobility. Sad.
Many people believe that inequality benefits them in the long run because they expect to rise within the system.

This is what Bi calls a “psychological trick”: even when economic mobility is rare, individuals still support inequality because they aspire to be on top rather than abolish the hierarchy altogether.