Nineteenth-century social science framed civilization as growth toward inequality

Evidence

Altogether consistently, in contrast to the above cases, extreme individuality has frequently been associated with the doctrine of the equality of all men. It is, psychologically speaking, quite obvious that the frightful inequality into which the individual was born during certain epochs of social history would elicit a reaction along two lines, one leading in the direction of the right to individuality, and the other toward the right to universal equality, since either of these alone tends to be inadequate in the same degree for the broader masses. Only in this dualistic connection can a phenomenon such as Rousseau be understood. — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 687 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Italian neoclassical economists framed inequality as a natural, healthy social fact — Clara E. Mattei, The Capital Order: How Economists…, 1705; Nineteenth-century social science ranked peoples into a hierarchy of moral mentalities; Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 687 (+3 more)

Broader Connections

• Individuality and universal equality historically arise as twin reactions to inequality #complicates (0.78) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 687