Philosophes

The Philosophes were a group of eighteenth century French intellectuals who dominated the French Enlightenment. Their interests were diverse, with experts in scientific, literary, philosophical and sociological matters. The ultimate goal of the philosophes was human progress; by concentrating on social and material sciences, they believed that a rational society was the only logical outcome of a freethinking and reasoned populace. They also advocated Deism and religious tolerance. Many believed religion had been used as a source of conflict since time eternal, and that logical, rational thought was the way forward for mankind.

Between 1748-1751 the Philosophes reached their most influential period. Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rousseau published Spirit of Laws (1748) and Discourse on the Moral Effects of the Arts and Sciences (1750) respectively. Denis Diderot also released the first volume of the Encyclopédie in 1751, causing a revolution in learning throughout the enlightened world.