Overview

Charles Devellennes looks at the the religious, social and political thought of the first four thinkers of the French Enlightenment: Pierre Bayle, Jean Meslier, Paul-Henri Thiry d'Holbach and Denis Diderot to explicitly argue for atheism as a positive philosophy. He shows how atheism evolved considerably over the century that spans the works of these four authors: from the possibility of the virtuous atheist in the late 17th century, to a deeply rooted materialist philosophy with radical social and political consequences by the eve of the French revolution. The metamorphosis of atheism from a purely negative phenomenon to one that became self-aware had profound consequences for establishing an ethics without God and the rise of republicanism as a political philosophy.

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9781474478434

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Devellennes has written an important contribution to our understanding of Enlightenment religion and the history of atheism.--Parker Cotton, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto ""Reading Religion"" This study represents a surprisingly yet unwritten history of atheism focusing on the point of view of atheists themselves - a fresh and much needed take that moves beyond narratives written by adversaries of atheism. By examining four key thinkers of the French Enlightenment, Devellenes' outstanding book offers a nuanced and contextualised view of atheism that is carefully attuned to politics.-- ""Rosario López, Assistant Professor, University of Málaga""

"Devellennes has written an important contribution to our understanding of Enlightenment religion and the history of atheism.--Parker Cotton, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto ""Reading Religion"" This study represents a surprisingly yet unwritten history of atheism focusing on the point of view of atheists themselves - a fresh and much needed take that moves beyond narratives written by adversaries of atheism. By examining four key thinkers of the French Enlightenment, Devellenes' outstanding book offers a nuanced and contextualised view of atheism that is carefully attuned to politics.-- ""Rosario L�pez, Assistant Professor, University of M�laga"""

Author Information

Charles Devellennes is Senior Lecturer in Political and Social Thought at the University of Kent. He has written extensively on the history of political thought, including on d'Holbach and Meslier, as well as on atheism both in its historical context and contemporary expressions. His recent works include critiques of the new materialism, as well as a rethinking of the social contract for the Gilets Jaunes movement in France.

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