Études Littéraires; Dix-Huitième Siècle

''Études Littéraires; dix-huitième siècle'' by Émile Faguet is a critical analysis written in the late 19th century focusing on the literature of the 18th century. This work delves into the ideas and influences of major writers from that era, such as Pierre Bayle, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau, examining how their thoughts reflect the broader cultural and philosophical changes of their time. Faguet contends that the 18th century is characterized by a notable decline in moral and literary standards when compared to the preceding and succeeding centuries, largely due to the era's distancing from Christian and nationalistic ideals. The opening of the book establishes the author's purpose in addressing students of literature and critiques the writers of the 18th century as more concerned with ideas than artistic techniques. Faguet outlines key themes of the period, such as the rejection of traditional moral frameworks and the rise of individualism against a backdrop of political stagnation. He offers a detailed examination of significant figures, beginning with Bayle, asserting that his approach to philosophy serves as a precursor to the broader intellectual trends that define the century, marked by skepticism, a detachment from Christian thought, and a complex relationship with concepts of nationality and morality.