Atheism, Religion and Enlightenment in pre-Revolutionary Europe (Hardcover, New)

An investigation into the influence of, and reaction to, the atheistic writings of the baron d'Holbach. The Baron d'Holbach, a prominent figure in the French Enlightenment, is best known for his writings against religion. His prolific campaign of atheism and anti-clericalism, waged from the printing presses of Amsterdam in the yearsaround 1770, was so radical that it provoked an unprecedented public response. For the baron's enemies, at least, it suggested the end of an era: proof that the likes of Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were simply a cabal of atheists hell-bent on the destruction of all that was to be cherished about religion and society. The philosophes, past their prime and under fire, recognised the need to respond, but struggled to know which way to turn. France's institutional bodies, lacking unity and fatally distracted, provided no credible lead. Instead, the voice of reason came from an unlikely source - independent Christian apologists, Catholic and Protestant, who attacked the baron on his own terms and, in the process, irrevocably changed the nature of Christian writing. This book examines the reception of the works of the baron d'Holbach throughout francophone Europe. It insists that d'Holbach's historical importance has been understated, argues the case for the existence of a significant "Christian Enlightenment" and raises questions about existing secular models of the francophone public sphere. MARK CURRAN is the Munby Fellow in Bibliography, Cambridge University Library.

General

Imprint:	Royal Historical Society
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Series:	Royal Historical Society Studies in History New Series
Release date:	June 2012
First published:	2012
Authors:	Mark Curran (Royalty Account)
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 20mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Cloth over boards
Pages:	226
Edition:	New
ISBN-13:	978-0-86193-316-7
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > European history > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > History of religion Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Alternative belief systems > Humanist & secular alternatives to religion > Agnosticism & atheism Books > History > European history > General Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Humanist & secular alternatives to religion > Agnosticism & atheism Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > History of religion Books > Christianity
LSN:	0-86193-316-8
Barcode:	9780861933167

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