Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu… These French philosophers of the Enlightenment, Siècle des Lumières, contributed to determining the path of Western thought and culture in the 17th and 18th centuries, a path that we are still on today. I am here to give you a little insight of what was really going on inside the brilliant and revolutionary minds of these French philosophers of the Enlightenment.
A French Philosopher of the Enlightenment: Rousseau and Discourse on Inequality (1754)
Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Discourse on Inequality was controversial at the time it was published. Rousseau questions the evolution of the modern man under the influence of society, hence defying the historical dominance of the Church. For example, he distinguished between natural and moral inequality, pointing out that inequality between men does not stem from physical or natural aspects of one’s being, but rather from one’s socioeconomic status. His argument that our interests and needs are interconnected with those of others highlighted cleverly what is still true today. Rousseau among other French philosophers of the Enlightenment therefore significantly contributed to the discourse of the Enlightenment with arguments that supported the individuality of man in a society, devoid of religious authority.
Rousseau’s Discourse on Inequality
A French Philosopher of the Enlightenment: Voltaire and Dictionnaire Philosophique (1764)
Voltaire’s Dictionnaire Philosophique aligns with the controversial themes of many French philosophers of the Enlightenment. The encyclopedic dictionary informs the reader on Voltaire’s critical thoughts on many religious institutions, for instance. While an alphabetical dictionary was nothing new for the time, Voltaire wanted to provide accessible and affordable reading. The book was made into a shorter and less heavy print, guaranteeing access to as many as possible. As Voltaire said, “revolutionary material must be small enough for people to carry with them”. Hence, Voltaire did not only contribute to the thought that rejected the hegemony of the Church, but also to the concrete democratization of knowledge with accessible copies.
Voltaire’s Dictionnaire Philosophique
A French Philosopher of the Enlightenment: Montesquieu and Lettres Persanes (1722)
Montesquieu’s Persian Letters offers a satirical view of French society as experienced by two Persian travellers. This humouristic and critical portrait also targeted the regime of Louis XIV (who had recently passed), religion and different social classes, again contributing to the thought of the time. Montesquieu’s critical and mocking tone represents the important idea of skepticism. Everything was questioned so that no one could lift their own arguments above those of others, not even the monarchy or the Church. These were seen to violate the individuality of man and the use of reason by many French philosophers of the Enlightenment.
Montesquieu’s Persian Letters
Indeed, the path of Western thought and culture, a path that we are still on today, was partly determined by these and many other works of French philosophers of the Enlightenment.