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Jacob Vernet, Geneva and the Philosophes 1994 (Hardcover, illustrated edition)
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Jacob Vernet, Geneva and the Philosophes 1994 (Hardcover, illustrated edition)
Series: Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment, 321
Expected to ship within 12 - 17 working days
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Jacob Vernet (1698-1789) was the most important and influential
Genevan pastor of his day, successively holding the posts of
Professor of Belles-Lettres (1739) and of Theology (1756) at the
city's Academie. A 'liberal' theologian, he had personal contacts
with several of the leading philosophes, all of which turned sour
after a time. This book describes Vernet's contacts with
Montesquieu, d'Alembert, Voltaire and Rousseau. It also
investigates a charge made repeatedly by his enemies, namely that
he was a hypocrite who disguised his real beliefs. Vernet's
religious and philosophical opinions are thus reviewed as expressed
in his major works, Traite de la verite de la religion chretienne,
Instruction chretienne and Lettres critiques d'un voyageur anglais.
The connection between Vernet's ideas and the social and political
situation in his native Geneva is also studied in depth. The
pastor's relations with Montesquieu have often been seen as a cause
for congratulation, for he edited the first edition of De l'Esprit
des lois, but a close reading of Montesquieu's correspondence shows
that this episode was far from being an unqualified success.
Similarly, Vernet's contacts with Rousseau give pause for thought:
the relevant evidence that he was on occasion somewhat devious in
his dealings with the great author is reviewed comprehensively.
Particular attention is given to Vernet's relations with Voltaire.
In 1760 the pastor was vilified in the second of the Dialogues
chretiens, accused of greed and dishonesty. But did Voltaire
actually write the second Dialogue? If not, who did? These
intriguing questions are discussed in detail, special attention
being given to Vernet's own essays of self-justification, the
Lettre a Monsieur le Premier Sindic(1760) and Memoire a Mr. le
Premier Sindic (1766, both of which are reproduced in appendices.
Jacob Vernet's long life and many works give a fascinating insight
into the problems and inconsistencies of liberal Protestantism
during the various stages of the Enlightenment.
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