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Fontenelle, Bernard de (1657–1757)

DOI
10.4324/9780415249126-DA033-1
DOI: 10.4324/9780415249126-DA033-1
Version: v1,  Published online: 1998
Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/fontenelle-bernard-de-1657-1757/v-1

Article Summary

Despite his considerable historical importance and vast output of literary, critical and philosophical works, Fontenelle did not make original contributions to philosophy. He popularized a modern view of nature, and raised doubts about institutionalized religions and unexamined theistic beliefs. As a champion of science and secularization, Fontenelle was extremely influential; his Entretiens (Conversations) of 1686 were quickly translated into many languages and became one of the basic texts of the early Enlightenment.

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Citing this article:
Schonfeld, Martin. Fontenelle, Bernard de (1657–1757), 1998, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-DA033-1. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/biographical/fontenelle-bernard-de-1657-1757/v-1.
Copyright © 1998-2024 Routledge.

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