Holbach’s atheistic theology is more extreme than his predecessor’s, for La Mettrie admits that God may exist, while Holbach vigorously opposes the possibility. Moreover Holbach holds the opinion, barely suggested by La Mettrie, that an atheistic doctrine would ameliorate the condition of mankind.[39] He insists that the idea of God has hindered the progress of reason and interfered with natural law. Holbach is indeed the only one of the philosophers here discussed, who frankly adopts a fatalistic and atheistic doctrine of the universe. In these respects, his teaching is the culmination of French materialism.
[1] “L’histoire naturelle de l’âme,” chapters XI, VIII. [↑]
[2] “Man a Machine,” p. 142. Cf. La Mettrie’s commentary on Descartes’s teaching in “Abrégé des systèmes philosophiques,” Œuvres, Tome 2. [↑]
[3] “Abrégé des systèmes, Descartes,” p. 6, Œuvres Philosophiques, Tome 2. [↑]
[4] “Man a Machine,” page 89. Cf. “L’histoire naturelle de l’âme” (or “Traité de l’âme”), Œuvres, 1746, p. 229. [↑]
[5] Descartes, “Principles,” Part II, Prop. 4. [↑]
[6] “Man a Machine,” pp. 122–126. [↑]
[8] Hobbes, “Leviathan,” Part III, Chap. 34; Part I, Chap. XII, Open Court Edition, p. 169. [↑]