Hannah
this is just for school, man maybes shenanigans, idk
Who was he?
Diderot was a French philosopher born in Langres in the 18th century. He was born to a relatively well off family, led by a respected cutler. He was taught by a few institutions and Jesuits, starting education at 13. He received the degree of Master of the Arts in Paris. He then studied law with a fascination for literature, philosophy and advanced math. He began to teach and eventually went off the deep end for a while, working as a writer, selling sermons. He went through a religious crisis, settling philosophical materialism. He married, had one surviving child, who went on to write about his life and protect his work.
Diderot, by Louis-Michel van Loo, 1767
Denis Diderot
When?
Diderot was born October 5th, 1713 and died on July 31st, 1784 at 71 years old. His career significantly expanded in 1745 when he was hired to translate an Encyclopedia with a co-editor, virtually creating an entirely new work, "The Encyclopedie." His work progressed from then as he developed and published letters, plays, sermons and stories.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Greuze_Portrait_of_Diderot.jpg
What do?
He published multiple "sacrilegious" works, many on philosophy, novels and plays.
Many of his works weren't published until years after his death, the banned works becoming available. The Encyclopédie was his most known and more influential work.
"Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."
Where?
Most of his career took place in France, though he spent a small amount of time in Russia with Catherine of Russia to speak and commission with her, then spending a smaller amount of time in London. His places of birth and death were both in France.
Importance
Diderot challenged societal values, religion and morals to the point of imprisonment, as well as develop learning, philosophy and media. He was real in a time swallowed by faith and judgement.
"We swallow greedily any lie that flatters us, but we sip only little by little at a truth we find bitter."
Important Works
Lettre sur les aveugles (Letter on the Blind): On physical perseption
Pensées sur l'interpretation (Thoughts on Interpretation of Nature): Thoughts on experimental science
Le neveu de Rameau (Rameau's Nephew): Philosophical satire
Notable Quotes
"There is only one passion, the passion for happiness."
"From fanaticism to barbarism is only one step."
"Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy."
"Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man."
"No man has received from nature the right to command his fellow human beings."
Bibliography
"Diderot, Denis." Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. 2008, "Denis Diderot." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2004, "Diderot, Denis." UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2003, "Diderot, Denis." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th Ed.. 2015, and "Diderot, Denis." World Encyclopedia. 2005. "Diderot, Denis." Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2008. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Pensees Sur L'interpretation De La Nature | Work by Diderot."Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Denis Diderot Biography." - Family, Children, Death, Information, Born, College, Time, Year, Sister. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Denis Diderot." Diderot's Role in The Enlightenment. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Denis Diderot." Denis Diderot. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"About This Project." The Encyclopedia of Diderot & D'Alembert Collaborative Translation Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Diderot Quotes." Brainypop.com
Denis Diderot
By Hannah
Denis Diderot
cool fench guy y'all
