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The '''philosophes''' in the 18th century were French intellectuals whose ideas formed the core of [[Enlightenment]] though. The principal figures involved were [[Montesquieu]], [[Voltaire]], [[Denis Diderot]], [[Jean Jacques Rousseau]], [[Condillac]], [[Alembert]],[[D'holbach]], [[Turgot]], and [[Condorcet]].
They did not form any sort of organization, but often discussed and debated ideas among themselves. They shared a devotion to reason, philosophical empiricism, mathematical modes of thought, trust in scientific inquiry, and a belief in the [[Idea of Progress]]. They had a wide following among the intellectuals of Europe. Their zest for rational investigation of the natural world is exemplified by Diderot's ‘’Encyclopedie’‘ (1751-66), to which many of them contributed.
In religion the philosophes encouraged toleration and skepticism; in politics their writings often reflected and furthered [[republicanism]] and the democratic spirit.
The American [[Founding Fathers]] read their work closely and adopted many of their ideas. Montesquieu in particular influenced American [[republicanism]]. In turn they followed American events, often with the personal encouragement of [[Benjamin Franklin]] and admired the [[American Revolution]]
The philosophes had a great influence on the [[French Revolution]]. The doctrines of natural law which they helped to popularize, were codified in the French [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen]] (1789) and in the American [[Bill of Rights]] (1791).
==Further reading==
* Artz, Frederick B. ''The Enlightenment in France'' (1968) [http://www.questia.com/read/102417373?title=The%20Enlightenment%20in%20France online edition]
* Becker, Carl L., ''The Heavenly City of the Eighteenth-Century Philosophers'' (1932)
*Gay, Peter, ''The Party of Humanity: Essays in the French Enlightenment'' (1964)
*Gay, Peter, ‘’The Enlightenment: An Interpretation’‘ ( 2 vols. 1966, 1969).
* Goodman, Dena. ''The Republic of Letters: A Cultural History of the French Enlightenment'' (1994) [http://www.questia.com/read/103609545?title=The%20Republic%20of%20Letters%3a%20A%20Cultural%20History%20of%20the%20French%20Enlightenment online edition]
* Torrey, Norman L. ''Les Philosophes: The Philosophers of the Enlightenment and Modern Democracy'' (1960) [http://www.questia.com/read/24605166?title=Les%20Philosophes%3a%20The%20Philosophers%20of%20the%20Enlightenment%20and%20Modern%20Democracy online edition]
[[category:Enlightenment]]
[[category:French Revolution]]
[[category:Philosophy]]
[[category:Republicanism]]
They did not form any sort of organization, but often discussed and debated ideas among themselves. They shared a devotion to reason, philosophical empiricism, mathematical modes of thought, trust in scientific inquiry, and a belief in the [[Idea of Progress]]. They had a wide following among the intellectuals of Europe. Their zest for rational investigation of the natural world is exemplified by Diderot's ‘’Encyclopedie’‘ (1751-66), to which many of them contributed.
In religion the philosophes encouraged toleration and skepticism; in politics their writings often reflected and furthered [[republicanism]] and the democratic spirit.
The American [[Founding Fathers]] read their work closely and adopted many of their ideas. Montesquieu in particular influenced American [[republicanism]]. In turn they followed American events, often with the personal encouragement of [[Benjamin Franklin]] and admired the [[American Revolution]]
The philosophes had a great influence on the [[French Revolution]]. The doctrines of natural law which they helped to popularize, were codified in the French [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen]] (1789) and in the American [[Bill of Rights]] (1791).
==Further reading==
* Artz, Frederick B. ''The Enlightenment in France'' (1968) [http://www.questia.com/read/102417373?title=The%20Enlightenment%20in%20France online edition]
* Becker, Carl L., ''The Heavenly City of the Eighteenth-Century Philosophers'' (1932)
*Gay, Peter, ''The Party of Humanity: Essays in the French Enlightenment'' (1964)
*Gay, Peter, ‘’The Enlightenment: An Interpretation’‘ ( 2 vols. 1966, 1969).
* Goodman, Dena. ''The Republic of Letters: A Cultural History of the French Enlightenment'' (1994) [http://www.questia.com/read/103609545?title=The%20Republic%20of%20Letters%3a%20A%20Cultural%20History%20of%20the%20French%20Enlightenment online edition]
* Torrey, Norman L. ''Les Philosophes: The Philosophers of the Enlightenment and Modern Democracy'' (1960) [http://www.questia.com/read/24605166?title=Les%20Philosophes%3a%20The%20Philosophers%20of%20the%20Enlightenment%20and%20Modern%20Democracy online edition]
[[category:Enlightenment]]
[[category:French Revolution]]
[[category:Philosophy]]
[[category:Republicanism]]