Le dictionnaire comme champ de lutte idéologique : les idées de religion naturelle et de religion universelle dans les dictionnaires du siècle des lumières 1764–1775

Abstract

THE DICTIONARY AS AN IDEOLOGICAL BATTLEFIELD: NATURAL RELIGION AND UNIVERSAL RELIGION IDEAS IN THE DICTIONARIES OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT 1764–1775 The article is a reflection on the dictionary as an ideological battleground illustrated with the example of thematic dictionaries or encyclopedias of the Age of Enlightenment. The perspective of the study is philosophical and religious, centred on the ideas of natural and universal religion as elements of conflicting worldviews. We will discuss the controversy surrounding the Philosophical Dictionary by Voltaire, who was attacked by Catholic clergymen such as Chaudon, Paulian, François or Nonnotte.