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The Rise of French Liberal Thought: A Study of Political Ideas from Bayle to Condorcet
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1969
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June 4, 2020
I thought this would be a good time to gain a better understanding of the dramatic period known as the Enlightenment. During the 18th Century, Europe had exited a period of constant war and disease. It had seen the birth of what has become known as science and was starting to understand that laws of nature governed a mechanistic world. At the same time relied the concepts of divine providence and the divine appointment of rulers to structure society. Science and theology were aggressively at odds, economic disparity was more than excessive, government functioned only to serve the powerful and the disposed were becoming really, really angry. Into this mix emerged thinkers who questioned everything and bravely attempted to explain the political/social world in mechanistic sense while more importantly attempting to create an understanding of how to structure society so things could be better. Almost to a person “reason” became the lynchpin for everything good that might evolve.
I stumbled on this book – which I believe was written as a school textbook – searching for something new, and I am so glad I did. It’s dated – over fifty years old – but age isn’t a barrier. Martin does an excellent job weaving broad concepts, the positions of the individual philosophes and the historical environment. I was impressed with how he explained the effects of economic theory on the social environment. I gained a much better understanding of Utilitarianism, its development and how it was critiqued. Martin is very focused on Voltaire and Rousseau but gives space to the other leading thinkers such as Diderot and Condorcet at the same time introducing me to new voices like Morelly and Mably.
Many of the quotes the author shares will resonate today. For example; Montesquieu saying “When the legislative and executive powers are united in same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty…Again, there is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.” This concept of divided powers, of checks and balances, which appeared at least superficially in England, was embraced by the French philosophes.
These radical enlightenment figures wrote and spoke and argued. They thought deeply and debated. They strove to create a newer world. There was little positive change from the French Monarch. Those in power retained it. In the end, the middle and lower economic classes took to the streets. They burned and broke and eventually killed. But - the world did change. The concept of a “divine right of kings” would crumble. The concept of reason governing action would emerge and the belief that every human is born with certain rights intrinsic to herself was made real.
I stumbled on this book – which I believe was written as a school textbook – searching for something new, and I am so glad I did. It’s dated – over fifty years old – but age isn’t a barrier. Martin does an excellent job weaving broad concepts, the positions of the individual philosophes and the historical environment. I was impressed with how he explained the effects of economic theory on the social environment. I gained a much better understanding of Utilitarianism, its development and how it was critiqued. Martin is very focused on Voltaire and Rousseau but gives space to the other leading thinkers such as Diderot and Condorcet at the same time introducing me to new voices like Morelly and Mably.
Many of the quotes the author shares will resonate today. For example; Montesquieu saying “When the legislative and executive powers are united in same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty…Again, there is no liberty if the power of judging be not separated from the legislative and executive powers.” This concept of divided powers, of checks and balances, which appeared at least superficially in England, was embraced by the French philosophes.
These radical enlightenment figures wrote and spoke and argued. They thought deeply and debated. They strove to create a newer world. There was little positive change from the French Monarch. Those in power retained it. In the end, the middle and lower economic classes took to the streets. They burned and broke and eventually killed. But - the world did change. The concept of a “divine right of kings” would crumble. The concept of reason governing action would emerge and the belief that every human is born with certain rights intrinsic to herself was made real.
Displaying 1 of 1 review