Abstract
Throughout the 18th Century, the anti-philosophes unanimously denounced the link between Enlightenment and Epicurean philosophy. Cardinal Polignac at the beginning of the century, in Anti-Lucretius, considered that the Epicurean system was the source of all forms of atheism. Later, the Jansenist A.-J. de Chaumeix went further, identifying the Encyclopédists with Epicurus. In 1780, the apologist N.-S. Bergier linked the unbelievers' ethics directly to that of Epicurus. A study of these three defenders of Christianity shows how Epicureanism changed during the century. After being criticised by Polignac for its unacceptable physics, it was then accused by Chaumeix and Bergier of being pressed by the Encyclopédie into the service of atheism. Thus linked to Enlightenment polemics, Epicurus can seen to be a mirror in which modern philosophers projected their most daring ideas, as they did with the ancient Egyptians or the Genevan pastors.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
