Jean-Jacques Rousseau published 'Discourse on Inequality' in 1754, arguing that humans are inherently good but corrupted by society and the institution of private property. His exploration of social inequality and its origins popularized the concept of the 'noble savage,' challenging Enlightenment thought. Rousseau's ideas significantly influenced political philosophy and the development of modern democratic thought.

Rousseau's 'Discourse on Inequality' catalyzed a shift towards Romanticism, influencing poets like William Wordsworth to seek authenticity in nature and emotion. His ideas about the natural state of humanity inspired a literary movement focused on individual experience and the beauty of the uncorrupted.