ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the distinction between Radical and Moderate Enlightenment in an attempt to determine how valid and useful the distinction is. It examines whether Enlightenment views of race and slavery can well be described as radical. The chapter considers whether it is fair to argue that the Radical Enlightenment contributed significantly to the making and development of the French Revolution. Between 1773 and 1776 baron d'Holbach brought out a number of works on ethics, society, and politics in which his views on morality and politics are clearly and coherently set forth. Democracy originates, according to d'Holbach, as a reaction against the abuses of aristocracy or of a corrupt monarchy. d'Holbach asserts, that inequality contributes to social well-being by making people mutually dependent and forming a basis for social harmony. Denis Diderot's position on black slavery and the French colonies is close to marquis de Condorcet's.