''The Skeptic's Walk'' (French: ''La Promenade du sceptique'') is a book by

Denis Diderot Denis Diderot (; ; 5 October 171331 July 1784) was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer, best known for serving as co-founder, chief editor, and contributor to the '' Encyclopédie'' along with Jean le Rond d'Alembert. He was a promi ...

, completed in 1747. It was first published in 1830. The book is separated into two parts: the first being a critique of religion, and the second a philosophical debate.

Production

The book was reported to Paris police sometime between 1746 and 1747, at which time Diderot was already under police surveillance. When the book was completed in 1747, Diderot was unable to find a publisher, and the sole copy of the book remained at his home until it was confiscated during a police search in 1752. The book was reportedly lost in police custody, and remained unheard of until it was put up for auction by a Paris bookseller in 1800. The book's surfacing led to a legal dispute between Diderot's daughter and the bookseller over rightful ownership. The dispute caused the book to be confiscated by police for a second time. It remained unpublished until 1830.

Content

The book is said to reveal the intellectual development of Diderot during the time it was written, and is considered to be the turning point in Diderot's transition to atheism. The book questions the integrity of both the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts ...

and the Abrahamic conception of God. Part of the book presents a fictional story, set shortly after the Battle of Fontenoy, involving a small group of philosophers. Themes include choosing between carnal pleasures and 'higher' morals. The book ends with the narrator of the story meeting "one of those blondes whom a philosopher ought to avoid", who convinces him that it is better to embrace happiness on earth than to wait for it in heaven. Philosophical debate in the book is said to show Diderot's distinct withdrawal from the

Age of Enlightenment The Age of Enlightenment or the Enlightenment; german: Aufklärung, "Enlightenment"; it, L'Illuminismo, "Enlightenment"; pl, Oświecenie, "Enlightenment"; pt, Iluminismo, "Enlightenment"; es, La Ilustración, "Enlightenment" was an intel ...

. The book has been described as being highly satirical, and whilst it mainly criticises the Christian churches, it has also been called Diderot's "most unkind treatment of

Judaism Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in t ...

and the ancient Jews." Because of the blasphemy laws at the time, if the book had been published while he was still alive, Diderot most likely would have been imprisoned or exiled from Paris.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Promenade du sceptique 1747 books Denis Diderot Atheism in France