Thesis: Diderot explains that the purpose of an encyclopedia is to collect scattered knowledge and present it in a general outline so that future generations with this knowledge will become more virtuous and happy, discouraging the ills of society and encouraging the good.
Ι. Method of Creating an Encyclopedia
A. Overcoming Barriers 1. Rejection of prior conceptions a. All things must be examined and investigated without consideration of feelings b. Overturn barriers yet untouched by reason c. Intellectual Daring needed B. Goal 1. Triumph of Reason a. Create a reasoning age when men seek rules in nature, not in classical authors
ΙΙ. Discouraging the Bad A. Learn from Mistakes 1. History a. A knowledge of History prevents a repetition of its mistakes B. Evil Behavior 1. Fanaticism a. Fanaticism is a blind zeal for superstitions b. Those who commit these cruel actions feel some kind of joy c. Education discourages fanatics 2. Intolerance a. Any method to stir up men to arms is impious b. People must be enlightened, not restrained
ΙΙΙ. Encouraging the Good
A. Fruits of Education
1. Government a. Good of people is the good of government b. Government has no right to oppress people 2. Humanity and Peace a. War is the result of man’s depravity b. If reason governed them, they would refrain from it c. Humanity encourages one to care for men and abolish evils 3. Political Authority a. Prince owes the authority he has from his subjects b. Prince is limited by laws of nature and state.
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