Contribution of French Philosophers to the French Revolution: -

by - January 19, 2022

Review the contribution of French philosophers to the French Revolution ( 1789 ) 

Contribution of French Philosophers to the French Revolution: -

Any great revolution is born first in the heart of man, in his ideology. The French philosophers prepared the mental field of the French people. The French Revolution was facilitated by the way in which philosophers expressed their thoughts through writing and portrayed the social, economic and religious life prevailing in France at that time. The historian Ryker says of the philosophers' contribution to the French Revolution - in fact, in France the reaction of emotion was the cause of the revolution . In his own words ‘’ It was, in fact, an emotional reaction which came to France that accounts for the revolution ".

Contribution of Montesquieu (179-1855 AD): -

As a child of an aristocratic family, Baron Charles de Montesquieu, a lawyer by profession, was a worshiper of liberal bourgeois ideology and a supporter of the constitutional monarchy in England. He wrote The Spirit of Law (1848), adhering to the principle of division of power in the British Constitution. In this text he criticizes the God-given power of the king and proposes to separate the rule, law and judiciary of the state. As 22 editions of this book were completed in 18 months, it became clear how popular it was among the French people . His other famous book was The Persian Letters. In this book, he exposes the flaws of the authoritarian monarchy, aristocracy and the prevailing social structure in France . 

Contributions of Voltaire (1894-18 AD): -

At the same time, the philosopher, historian, poet, playwright and essayist Voltaire (real name Fansea Marie Araiet) was one of the best intellectuals in France and Europe at that time. He was the first to say that history is not only the story of the rise and fall of the empire, but also of the evolution of civilization and society. History of the past is a tool to verify the present. He told them to accept everything in the judgment of independent thinking and rationality. This honorable guest of the Prussian king Frederick-the-Great and the well-known Russian Empress Catherine II wanted to crack down on people's blind faith in the church. He authored two books, Kandid and Letter Philosophical. In these two texts he wrote against blind religious superstition and religious immorality. Voltaire said: In my time I have done no less than Luther or Kelvin.

Contributions of Rousseau (1612-18 AD): -

The most popular French philosopher and statesman was Jean-Jacques Rousseau, known as the "bird of the storm" and ‘’ the father of the French Revolution.’’ Rousseau’s main ideology was the introduction of social and state systems on the basis of equality. Influenced by the history of ancient Rome, the political system of Geneva, and the influence of Calvinism, Rousseau's political ideas were at the heart of it — a social state is advantageous only when everyone has something and no one has more. Rousseau's famous ‘Origin of Inequality’ he said People are born with equality, but levi and selfish society deprives people. He also said that man is born free, but he is disciplined everywhere ("Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains'').Rousseau’s second best book was ‘Social Contract’’ In this text he criticizes the divine rights of the king and supports the theory of the sovereignty of the people. Historian Hassell says that although the main cause of the French Revolution was economic and political, the great influence of Rousseau's writings cannot be denied.


Contributions of Denis Didero and The Alembert: -

Denis Didera was one of the foremost French philosophers. Dennis Didera, a philosopher, artist, critic and author, compiled an encyclopedia of 35 volumes (between 1851 and 180 AD) with the help of The Alembert. The encyclopedia was rich in various aspects like mathematics, science, sociology, astronomy, philosophy, literature etc. Didero used to say that man is controlled by his biological organization. According to him - the ability to change and control the environment is human’s basic instinct . 

Contributions of Mabli and Moreli: -
Mabli's De la Legislation and Morelli's Code de la Nature - both of which support the abolition of joint property ownership or inheritance. Morelli called for the abolition of private property rights and government assistance to the needy. According to Mabli, primitive society was happy because there was equality in that society. Equality and socialization of property is one of the conditions for the happiness of the people.

Contribution of Physiocrats Group: -
During the French Revolution, a famous economic group named Physiocrats emerged in France. One of the leaders of this group was Quisen and the other members were Turgo, Mirabay and others. The group, led by Quisen and Turgor, called for free trade and the establishment of private industries. Quisen's ‘’ Theory of Taxation ‘’ and Mirabo's ‘’ Friend of Mankind ‘’ oppose mercantile doctrine and support free trade policy.

Evaluation of the contribution of philosophers in French Revolution : -

There is considerable disagreement among historians and researchers as to whether or not philosophers contributed at all to the French Revolution. Argument in favor of acknowledging the contribution of philosophers in the French Revolution who were among them — Tein, Rustan, Setebria, Takvil, Madela, Rude, Holland Rage, Barnev, etc. They argued:

[i] The philosophers judged the state and society of that time on the basis of rationalism and exposed injustice, injustice and iniquity.
[ii] The philosophers inspired the revolution in the minds of the people by promoting education, liberal doctrine and justice.
[iii] Despite the dictatorial regimes and social inequalities in various countries of contemporary Europe, especially Austria and Russia, the revolution did not take place there due to the lack of philosophers, but in France for the philosophers.
[iv] Philosophical doctrines spread through the discussions of educated people in France at the time - salons (middle class living rooms), cafes (coffee shops), restaurants, conventions among ordinary French people, which inspired them. The indirect effect of this was to inspire revolution in the minds of the people. Regarding the influence of philosophers on the French, Tein says: "France drank the poison of philosophy".

Argument against: Philosophers did not seem to have any influence on the French Revolution. They argued:
[i] Philosophers have criticized the old system through their writings but have not directly called for revolution or participated in the revolution. So they had no influence in the revolution.
[ii] The philosophers had no part in the French Revolution. Because the French were familiar with the revolutionary ideology long before they started writing.
[iii] It was not the philosophers, but society, the state, the economic system that set the stage for the French Revolution.
[iv] The philosophers did not share the same ideological angle. Rousseau's ideology was republic and equality, Montesquieu's ideology was constitutional monarchy, Voltaire's enlightened dictatorship, physiocrats' opposition to the state in the economic sphere, etc. There was no call for revolution.

Conclusion: -
Although there is disagreement about the contribution of philosophers to the French Revolution, it is true that it was the philosophers who helped shape the mental preparation of the French for the Revolution. In the context of the evaluation of the French Revolution C. J. Hazen says that it was not for the philosophers but the situation and lawlessness of the national life that brought about the revolution. ("The revolution was not caused by the philosophers, but by the conditions and evils of national life"). But it can be said that it was the philosophers who prepared the ground for revolution as an alternative to that political party. 


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