In the 18th century, France was in a period of activedevelopment of capitalism. At this time, the country was preparing for intensive changes and restructuring - this ended in the well-known bourgeois revolution. It was from this angle that the philosophy of French enlightenment developed.
With a similar course of development, the country, likenation, needed a certain explanation of events, the systematization of knowledge. The period of the Renaissance in France is characterized by a very negative attitude towards the feudal one, to the privileges of representatives of noble origin. The philosophy of the French Enlightenment criticized religion and perceived the church only as an organ of social influence and a way of manipulating the population.
On the other hand, the greatest minds of the timebelieved that the root of all evil in the ignorance of ordinary citizens, since the limitations of mental development interfered with the normal perception of reality, understanding of their rights as a person. The social philosophy of French education was based on the idea of education. At the same time, it was believed that both the nobility and the royal family needed education, they needed to explain all the subtleties of government.
The philosophy of French education and its main directions. During this period of development, three main points of view were clearly formed, each of which had its followers and followers:
- Deism - this direction rejected the idea of a personal God and the possibility that the divine principle has any influence on the course of events;
- Materialism - developed under the influence of science,especially mechanics. Proponents of this trend believed that philosophy should summarize all scientific data. Of course, the existence of God was categorically rejected. Scientists explained the existence of the world only from the point of view of natural science;
- The socialist, or utopian, direction - developed after the revolution;
Philosophy of French Enlightenment: Voltaire. This is probably one of the most famous in history.figure of culture and philosophy. This famous writer, at a certain time, abandoned religion and its laws, joining a group of deists. Of course, Voltaire did not give up faith in God. But he believed that God only creates the world, gives it a certain movement and does not prevent things from going on their own.
This famous thinker preached humaneattitude to the common people. However, he believed that only monarchy was the only ideal form of the state. The problem he saw only in the rulers and their unwillingness to take care of the uneducated poor people.
The philosophy of the French Enlightenment and its representatives.
J.J.Rousseau is another fairly well-known philosopher, writer and teacher. He rejected the authority of the church for its superstition, unwarranted cruelty and fanaticism. At the same time, he recognized that the state needs a religion that would make citizens useful members of society. He even created the concept of a “civic” religion, which meant faith in the afterlife, fair repayment for deeds, reward for good and punishment for evil.
La Mettrie - was a staunch atheist and rejectedthe probability of the existence of God. Moreover, he denied the importance of religion for humanity and believed that real morality comes only with experience. This philosopher was inclined to think that every person is born evil, treacherous and vicious. And virtue and other positive qualities are acquired in the process of proper education.
Didro - this scientist had slightly different viewsfor life. He believed that man is born by nature good. Evil occurs when a person grows up. The morality of a nation depends on the laws, the social system of government and the way of life.
