Baron d'Holbach
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[[Image:Paul Heinrich Dietrich Baron d'Holbach.jpg|thumb|Baron d'Holbach]]
'''Paul-Henri Thiry, baron d'Holbach''' ([[1723]] – [[1789]]) was a [[France|French]] [[author]], [[philosopher]] and [[encyclopedist]]. He was born '''Paul Heinrich Dietrich''' in [[Edesheim, Germany|Edesheim]], [[Germany]] but lived and worked mainly in [[Paris]]. He is most famous for being one of the first self-described [[Atheism|atheists]] in [[Europe]].
==Biography==
D'Holbach's mother ([[née]] Holbach) was the daughter of the [[Prince-Bishop|Prince-Bishop's]] tax collector. His father, Johann Jakob Thiry, was a [[wine]]-grower. The young Paul-Henri's studies were financed by his uncle, Franz Adam Holbach, who had become a millionaire by speculating on the Paris stock-exchange. After inheriting two large fortunes the still young d'Holbach became very wealthy and would remain so for life.
D'Holbach had one of the more notable [[Salon (gathering)|''salons'']] in Paris. It was one of the most important meeting places for contributors to the [[Encyclopédie]]. Meetings were held regularly twice a week from approximately [[1750]] - [[1780]]. The tone of discussion among the visitors was highly civilized and it covered more diverse topics than that of other salons. This, along with other features including excellent food, expensive wine, and a library of over 3000 volumes, attracted many notable visitors. Among the regulars in attendance at the salon were: [[Denis Diderot|Diderot]], [[Friedrich Melchior, baron von Grimm|Grimm]], [[Jean-François Marmontel]], [[Jean le Rond d'Alembert|D'Alembert]], [[Helvétius]], [[Ferdinando Galiani]], and [[André Morellet]]. The salon was also well-frequented by British intellectuals: [[Adam Smith]], [[David Hume]], [[Horace Walpole]], [[Edward Gibbon]], amongst others. D'Holbach was owner of [[Heeze Castle]], situated in the Duchy of [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]], a region of The Netherlands today.
For the ''Encyclopédie'' he authored and translated a large number of articles on topics such as politics, religion, chemistry and mineralogy. The translations he contributed were chiefly from German sources. He was better known, however, for his philosophical writings. These writings expressed a materialistic and atheistic position. His work is today categorised into the philosophical movement called "[[French materialism]]".
In [[1761]] ''Christianity unveiled'' (''Christianisme dévoilé'') appeared, in which he attacked [[Christianity]] and religion as counter to the moral advancement of humanity.
This was followed up by other works, and in [[1770]] by a still more open attack in his most famous book, ''[[The System of Nature]]'' (''Le Système de la nature''), published under the name of [[Jean-Baptiste de Mirabaud]]. <!--in which it is probable he was assisted by Diderot.-->
Denying the existence of a [[deity]], and refusing to admit as evidence all ''[[A priori and a posteriori (philosophy)|a priori]]'' arguments, d'Holbach saw in the universe nothing save matter in motion. In this, he was influenced by [[John Toland]]. The foundation of [[morality]] is happiness: "It would be useless and almost unjust to insist upon a man's being virtuous if he cannot be so without being unhappy. So long as vice renders him happy, he should love vice." This theory of morality can be seen as a precursor to [[utilitarianism]].
''Le Système de la nature'' presented a core of radical ideas which many contemporaries found disturbing, thus prompting a strong reaction. The [[Catholic Church in France]] threatened the [[House of Bourbon|crown]] with a withdrawal of financial support unless it effectively suppressed the circulation of the book. The list of people writing refutations of the work was long. The [[Roman Catholic Church]] had its pre-eminent [[theology|theologian]] [[Nicolas-Sylvestre Bergier]] write a refutation of the ''Système'' titled ''Examen du matérialisme'' (''Materialism examined''). [[Voltaire]] hastily seized his pen to refute the philosophy of the ''Système'' in the article "Dieu" in his ''[[Dictionnaire philosophique]]'', while [[Frederick the Great]] also drew up an answer to it. Its principles are summed up in a more popular form in ''Bon Sens, on idées naturelles opposees aux idées surnaturelles'' (Amsterdam, 1772), In the ''Système social'' (1773), the ''Politique naturelle'' (1773-1774) and the ''Morale universelle'' (1776) Holbach attempts to describe a system of morality in place of the one he had so fiercely attacked, but these later writings were not as popular or influential as his earlier work. Due to a fear of persecution, he published his books either anonymously or under pseudonyms. Additionally, the books were published outside of France, usually in [[Amsterdam]]. D'Holbach was strongly critical of abuses of power in France and abroad. Contrary to the revolutionary spirit of the time however, he called for the educated classes to reform the corrupt system of government and warned against [[revolution]], [[democracy]], and "[[mob rule]]".
It is thought that the virtuous atheist Wolmar in [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]]'s ''[[Julie, ou la nouvelle Héloïse]]'' is based on d'Holbach. Many of the main points in d'Holbach's philosophy have now found increasing resonance among the scientifically literate.
== Quotes==
{{wikiquote}}
"If we go back to the beginning we shall find that ignorance and fear created the gods; that fancy, enthusiasm, or deceit adorned or disfigured them; that weakness worships them; that credulity preserves them, and that custom, respect and tyranny support them in order to make the blindness of men serve their own interests."
"If ignorance of Nature gave birth to gods, then knowledge of Nature is calculated to destroy them."
==See also==
*[[Atheism]]
*[[List of atheists]]
*[[The System of Nature]]
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==Bibliography==
*''Le christianisme dévoilé, ou Examen des principes et des effets de la religion chrétienne'' (''[http://books.google.com/books?id=TEIAAAAAYAAJ Christianity unveiled: being an examination of the principles and effects of the Christian religion]'') published in [[Nancy]], [[1761]]
*''La Contagion sacrée, ou Histoire naturelle de la superstition'', [[1768]]
*''Lettres à Eugénie, ou Préservatif contre les préjugés'', [[1768]]
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=qCpIAAAAMAAJ Théologie Portative, ou Dictionnaire abrégé de la religion chrétienne]'', [[1768]]
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=y-sFAAAAQAAJ Essai sur les préjugés, ou De l'influence des opinions sur les mœurs & le bonheur des hommes]'', [[1770]]
*''Système de la nature ou des loix du monde physique & du monde moral'' (''[[The System of Nature|The System of Nature, or Laws of the Moral and Physical World]]''), published [[1770]] in 2 volumes in French under the pseudonym of ''Mirabaud''. [http://www.gutenberg.net/browse/BIBREC/BR8909.HTM vol.1 text], [http://www.gutenberg.net/browse/BIBREC/BR8910.HTM vol.2 text] at [[Project Gutenberg]], [http://gallica.bnf.fr/scripts/ConsultationTout.exe?O=88620&T=2 en français].
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Um1IAAAAMAAJ Histoire critique de Jésus-Christ, ou Analyse raisonnée des évangiles]'', [[1770]]
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=bo0NAAAAQAAJ Tableau des Saints, ou Examen de l'esprit, de la conduite, des maximes & du mérite des personages que le christiannisme révère & propose pour modèles]'', [[1770]]
*''Le Bon Sens'', published [[1772]] (''Good Sense: or, Natural Ideas Opposed to Supernatural''). This was an abridged version of ''The System of Nature''. It was published anonymously in [[Amsterdam]] in order to escape persecution, and has also been attributed to [[Jean Meslier]]. <!--in the note by the publisher in the PG version it states that it was wrongly attributed to John Mesier. I'd like to find out more information on this before stating "wrongly attributed" here --> [http://www.gutenberg.net/browse/BIBREC/BR7319.HTM Project Gutenberg text]
*''Politique Naturelle, ou Discours sur les vrais principes du Gouvernement'', [[1773]]
*''Système Social, ou Principes naturels de la morale et de la Politique, avec un examen de l'influence du gouvernement sur les mœurs'' [[1773]]
*''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Zr89AAAAIAAJ Ethocratie, ou Le gouvernement fondé sur la morale]'' (''Ethocracy or Government Founded on Ethics'') (Amsterdam, [[1776]])
*''La Morale Universelle, ou Les devoirs de l'homme fondés sur la Nature'', [[1776]] [http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/CadresFenetre?O=NUMM-84548&M=pagination&Y=Image en français], PDF file.
*''Eléments de morale universelle, ou Catéchisme de la Nature'', [[1790]]
*''Lettre à une dame d'un certain âge
== External links ==
{{commons|Baron d'Holbach|Baron d'Holbach}}
* {{gutenberg author| id=Holbach+Paul+Henri+Thiry+baron | name=Baron d'Holbach}}
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6239256 Find-a-grave biography]
*[http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/holbach/ Stanford Encyclopedia Entry]
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[[Category:1723 births]]
[[Category:1789 deaths]]
[[Category:Barons of Holbach]]
[[Category:Philosophes]]
[[Category:Materialists]]
[[Category:Determinists]]
[[Category:Encyclopedists]]
[[Category:Atheist philosophers]]
[[Category:Atheist thinkers and activists]]
[[Category:French atheists]]
[[Category:German atheists]]
[[Category:People from Rhineland-Palatinate]]
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