The first step toward philosophy is doubt—Diderot
The first step away from the philosopher is also doubt— Catherine
Centered on a major historical event of the eighteenth century, the meeting of the French philosopher Diderot and the Russian Empress Catherine, the book interprets the interaction between the greatest thinkers and the most powerful rulers of the time: the two had more than forty private meetings that lasted nearly four months.
Diderot, like many intellectuals of his time, saw Catherine as the last glimmer of hope for enlightened reforms and the establishment of a just society, while Catherine wanted to legalize and institutionalize her benevolent government. As the conversation progressed, Catherine not only had a very different understanding of her role, but also had a different understanding of Diderot...
From the initial mutual admiration and respect, to the differences on specific matters, to the ideological discord, contradictions and conceptual confrontations, the two finally broke up and parted ways. The author explains from the different academic backgrounds and identities of the two, showing their different concepts and styles, and also showing their internal logical basis from "understanding" to "not understanding".
Diderot's less visible friendship with Catherine (if the word friendship can still be used) reveals many interesting problems during the Enlightenment, especially the irreconcilable relationship between idealists and realists, thinkers and rulers. This era placed great (though not unconditionally) an emphasis on reason and progress, but at the same time empowered enlightened monarchs to use reason and achieve progress. In the case of the two of them, this fusion is almost a failure, but it is profound.
Even the most enlightened authoritarian rule is harmful. If the law can only bind the people, not the dictator, then no matter how benevolent the dictator is, she is still a dictator.
Do whatever you see fit to the satisfaction of the peasants, but also take appropriate precautions so that the serfs should not be mistaken for fearing their masters in the future.
The book is:
1. An interesting historical story
2. A relaxed way of writing
3. A clash of power and ideas
4. The influence of Enlightenment ideas on rulers
Wonderful digest
As far as despotism was concerned, Diderot lashed out at the enlightened autocratic ideas espoused by Voltaire's people. Influenced by the Winter Palace experience, Diderot had shaken off his earlier dilemma with this particular enlightened dictator, and he concluded that a very simple word to describe the situation was contradiction.
No matter how good the dictator's intentions may be, no matter how noble his ideas may be, when he exercises unfettered power, he will inevitably infringe on the freedom of his subjects. Diderot declared that even if a dictator acts for the benefit of the masses, his nature will make him go against the will of the masses. No matter how noble a monarch's character may be, "he is a criminal against the will of the masses, and the reason is simple, because he has exceeded his authority." ”
In any case, the new chapter of the Enlightenment did not end up in the Russian steppes under Catherine, as many at the time believed, but instead on the American farms under Jefferson.
In that impassioned summary for the revolutionaries of 1776, Diderot lamented: "May the news of your happiness bring all the unfortunate people of the earth to your country." May all political or religious tyrants and oppressors know that there is a place in the world where people can be freed from their chains; where the oppressed once again raise their heads; where the harvest of the poor is increasing.