Diderot and the Encyclopædists (Vol. 2 of 2) - Tapa blanda

Sinopsis

isahistor ical account written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the philosophical ideas, dialogues, and contributions of Denis Diderot and his contemporaries during the Enlightenment period. Thebookcoversvarious topics such asmorality, romance, andart, presentingDiderot'sreflectionson the societal norms of his time and the impact of his works. The opening of the text introduces the initialchapter, whichdiscusses"OtherDialogues"by Diderot, beginningwith"TheConversationsofaFatherwithhisChildren." This dialogue explores moral dilemmas involving inheritance and justice, as Diderot's father contemplates the ethical implications of a discovered will. The conversation then shifts to other moral questions, such as the respon sibilities of a physician, leading to a broader discussion about the nature of conscience and societal laws. Through this engaging dialogue, Morley high lights Diderot's capacity to blend philosophical inquiry with the personal, revealing both the complexity and the humanity of his thoughts we may now pass to performances that are nearer to the accepted surface of things. A short but charming example of Diderot's taste for putting questions of morals in an interesting way, is found in the Conversation of a Father with his Children (published in 1773). This little dialogue is perfect in the simple realism of its form. Its subject is the peril of setting one's own judgment of some special set of circumstances above the law of the land. Diderot's venerable and well-loved father is sitting in his arm-chair before the fire. He begins the discussion by telling his two sons and his daughter, who are tending him with pious care, how very near he had once been to destroying their inheritance. An old priest had died leaving a considerable fortune. Therewasbelievedtobenowill, andthenextofkinwereanumber of poor people whom the inheritance would have rescued from indigence for the rest of their days. They appointed the elder Diderot to guard their interests and divide the property. Hefindsatthebottomofadisusedboxof ancient letters, receipts, and other waste-paper, a will made long years ago, andbequeathing all the fortune to a very rich bookseller in Paris.

"Sinopsis" puede pertenecer a otra edición de este libro.