Who was the organizer and editor-in-chief of France's first encyclopedia? The answer is Denis Diderot. He grew up in a period of increasing collapse of feudal rule in France, when capitalism began to undergo great changes and upheavals, and at that time Diderot's philosophical thought had a great influence, and he could be said to be an active Enlightenment thinker. His artistic achievements in the novel have established the title of literary scholar, and his achievements in drama are equally remarkable, playing a role in the history of European theater aesthetics. Today, we will enjoy Diderot's ten aphorisms together and experience the truth behind the words.
Due to the role of the background of the times, France in the 18th century was in a stage of social transformation, resulting in more intense social unrest in terms of ideology and culture. During this period, many thinkers, philosophers, and writers emerged in different forms of society, of which Diderot was one of them, but he was more comprehensive and was known as the representative of the "encyclopedic" school. The philosopher is an identity of Diderot, in looking at problems, rational than emotional; the artist is another identity, looking at problems more emotionally; the writer is also an identity, he uses words to show the social landscape of the time, more realistic.
In the process of human development, Diderot has made remarkable achievements in various fields, so the world's well-known people, have in-depth research on it, domestic scholars in drama, literary and art theory, aesthetics, sociology, philosophy, truth theory, stylistic theory, etc., diderot has also had a lot of research, with Zhu Guangqian's exposition is very representative, especially in the theater performance theory, aesthetic thought, literary realism, philosophical aesthetic view, etc. are deeply sought after and explored by later generations of scholars.
In terms of literature, the emergence of Diderot's novel has become an important reform in the history of literature, and the advent of "The Legend of the Giants" has given it a place in the novel. In Diderot's novels, it can truly reflect the gradual development of capitalism in the 18th century, and the details of politics, culture, society and many other aspects can be described, so that the lives of the people in that period can be vividly displayed in front of readers. In addition, due to his multiple identities, Diderot writes philosophy, drama and other ideas and cognitions into the novel, so the content of the novel contains a strong philosophical point of view and dramatic color, and more fully shows vivid and complex real life.
In the field of philosophy, Diderot inherited the materialism of Descartes and Metelli, opposing idealism, believing that nature is a system or whole that flows forever and unifies, and that time, space, and matter operate freely in the system or whole. He advocated materialist sensory theory, affirming that knowledge comes from sensations, and sensations are the result of external things stimulating people's senses, forming a typical sensory psychological thought. In Diderot's core philosophical views, there are dialectical elements mixed in, and the idea of biological evolution is put forward, and many propositions make him one of the core figures of French materialism in the 18th century, making outstanding contributions to the development of human civilization.
Diderot's plays had an equally great influence on later generations, playing a role in the history of European theatrical aesthetics, and because of his appearance, he made an important turning point in European theater and opened up a new path for the trend of realism and romantic literature. In addition, Diderot's drama attaches importance to social function and moral education, elevating drama to the first position in "poetry", while requiring playwrights to have a serious sense of social responsibility and a clear creative purpose, first of all, to become a noble person.
In the fields of thought, philosophy, literature, and drama, Diderot has made great contributions, he is not only an outstanding person in France and even the world in the 18th century, but his ideological and spiritual power has influenced people all over the world and played a role in promoting the process of human development. On October 5, 1713, Diderot was born, today is his 308th birthday, let's enjoy his ten aphorisms, experience the philosophy and literary charm behind the words.
Nothing beats the truth. - Diderot
Those who do not read, their thoughts will stop. - Diderot
If morality is corrupted, fun is bound to degenerate. - Diderot
Hidden hatred is more dangerous than hatred that is revealed publicly. - Diderot
The benefits of error are temporary, and the benefits of truth are permanent. - Diderot
The vastness of the spirit imagines the diligence of the active mind: it is genius. - Diderot
Without purpose, nothing can be done; if the purpose is small, nothing can be done. - Diderot
Arrogant personality will only hurt you occasionally, and arrogant expression will make you constantly hurt. - Diderot
Life is the ocean, hope is the compass of the helmsman, so that people in the storm, not to lose their way. - Diderot
All moral actions are accompanied by inner contentment, and all sinful acts are accompanied by remorse. - Diderot