Holbach

Holbach, PAUL HEINRICH DIETRICH, BARON D', philosopher, and one of the French encyclopædists of the 18th century, was born of wealthy parentage, at Heidelberg, in the Palatinate, in 1723. At an early age he went to Paris, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life. He died 21st June 1789. As Holbach was remarkable for his agreeable social qualities, and kept a good table, the most eminent thinkers and writers of the day, such as Condorcet, Diderot, Duclos, Helvétius, Raynal, Rousseau, Buffon, &c., were in the habit of assembling at his house. The witty Abbé Galiani called Holbach the maître d'hôtel of philosophy. Here speculation, it is said, was carried to such daring lengths that Buffon, D'Alembert, and Rousseau were compelled to withdraw from the circle. Holbach was the zealous champion of naturalism, and contended not only against Christianity, but against every positive religion. His principal work is the Système de la Nature (2 vols. 1770). In it the author endeavours to expound the natural principles of morality, and to investigate the origin of the conflicting opinions on virtue and vice. He discusses the maxims of religious morality, and takes a rapid survey of social and savage life. He touches on the so-called 'social compact,' and in the course of his observations tries to prove, among other things, that self-interest is the ruling motive of man, and that God is only an ideal being, created by kings and priests. The materialism of the French philosophes of the 18th century is nowhere more pernicious and paltry than in the writings of Holbach. It is but fair to state that his life was better than his books. He was a man of good heart, and, in spite of his theories, of most unselfish benevolence. When the Jesuits fell into disgrace during the reign of Louis XV., Holbach, though he hated their system, and had written against them in the days of their prosperity, made his house an asylum for his old foes when the clouds gathered round them. See an article by J. Morley in the Fortnightly, 1877.