Denis+Diderot

__ »Denis Diderot« __ 1713 - 1784     // "To be born in imbecility, in the midst of pain and crisis to be the plaything of ignorance, error, need, sickness, wickedness, and passions; to return step by step to imbecility, from the time of lisping to that of doting; to live among knaves and charlatans of all kinds; to die between one man who takes your pulse and another who troubles your head; never to know where you come from, why you come and where you are going! That is what is called the most important gift of our parents and nature. Life." //    - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -             Denis Diderot was born in Langres, France on October 5, 1713, and died on July 31, 1784. He was not only a philosopher, but was also a writer. He got his education from the jesuits. He was married to Antoinette Champion, and had one daughter, Angelique. He was the cheif editor of the //Encyclopedie// as we know as the //Encyclopedia//, and one of its main writers. The //Encyclopedie// consisted of human knowledge in a single writing, and it also challenged the authority of the Catholic Church.  **//He wanted to know why we are here?… why is there a universe?…why is there anything at all? //**

// The most dangerous madmen are those created by religion, and ... people whose aim is to disrupt society always know how to make good use of them on occasion."  //    Beliefs    He turned away from Christianity and followed rationalism. Rationalism is the belief that true knowledge, prosperity and happiness can be found through right reason. He sought knowledge and the answers to the questions: why is there a universe and why are we here. He was afraid that knowledge would be destroyed by Christians who destroyed books and tortured people who expressed unorthodox thoughts.  Diderot was a free thinker who believed in his right to think and express his individual thoughts. He did not allow any authority, teaching or tradition to control or dictate his thoughts.   Achievements   Diderot helped enlighten his world. The Encyclopedia was his most important work. He is also an essayist who authored many pieces of writing that brought forth new intellectual ideas on many subjects. The subjects he wrote about included: languages, theater, law, literature, philosophy, and mathematics. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  __ Notebook Activity __ You may use your notes and the things you have learned on this wiki page to create an acrostic poem on Denis Diderot. You may use his first or last name. __Example:__ ||= Diderot - his last name. || ||= Encyclopedie is his main work || ||= Not a follower of christianity || ||= Is a philosopher and writer || ||= Seemed to believe christians would destroy knowledge ||
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -      Hero

" Major contributor to the Age of Enlightment"

Denis Diderot helped to enlighten his world. He was a prominent free thinker during the Age of Enlightenment, and his major contribution to the Enlightenment being the //Encyclopédie//. The Age ofEnlightenment is a term used to describe a philosophy and life during the eighteenth century, in which reason was advocated as the primary source and legitimacy for authority. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -       Wanted Denis Diderot is wanted for his crime of conspiracy against society. The //Encyclopédie// threatens the governing social classes of France because it takes for granted the justice of religious tolerance, freedom of thought, and the value of science, and industry. It asserts the doctrine that the main concern of the nation's government ought to be the nation's common people. It is believed that the //Encyclopédie// is the work of an organized band of conspirators against society, and that the dangerous ideas they hold are made truly formidable by their open publication. **REWARD!** **DEAD or ALIVE**