published a comincal science fiction in which Cyrano takes rockets to the moon
Part III: Malebranche (1638 - 1715)
his "Search for Truth" is a classic in French Philosophy
we have perception of things, not knowledge of them
physical explanation of habit, memory and ideas
approached near to a materialist determinism
Part IV: Pierre Bayle (1647 - 1706)
considered the "Father of the Enlightenment"
sensitive youth, loved to be alone studying
lived as foreigner in Dutch republic
promoted freedom of worship
challenged superstition with Newtonian explanation of comets
attempted to derive an ethic from reason
observed similar moral conduct across many societies with different religious. Therefore, religion is not the critical ingredient for stability.
social pressure and fear keep the order
Lost family member to religious persecution. In response to this, wrote "Philosophical Commentary on These Words of Jesus: 'Compel them to Come In'" – a classic of religious toleration
subjectivity of truth as reason for toleration
His "Dictionnaire historique et Critique" is a fundamental text of Enlightenment thinking
his method: gather authoritative texts, parse out the objective facts, explain various perspectives, follow reason to some conclusion
reason is source of doubt, not action. Emotion drive action.
best case for government is enough order and stability for people to live as they please
high influential throughout 18th century
Part V: Fontenelle (1657 - 1757)
frail man, always corteous, never rude or sarcastic, genial, lived to 100 years old
explained myths in terms of human imanginative origins
pointed out progressive nature of science and math vs static nature of art
idea of stages of growth and decay of nations
his theory of progress with unlimited potential continuation and perfectability of mankind was a major ideal of the 18th century thought