(1723-1789)
Raised in Paris, France
Philosopher, atheist and hard determinist during the period of the French Enlightenment
Most famous work was 'System of Nature' (1770)

He was an atheist and spoke out against all organized religion.
He was a hard determinist, believing that all human beings are controlled by forces of nature and frequently disavowed the notion of human freedom. He argued that human beings think they have the freedom to make the choices they do, but in actuality, they are controlled by outside forces.
He threw parties at his house in Paris only for those he considered to be 'intellectuals.'
His beliefs were so radical that he could not discuss them in public.
Some say his life was contradictory, being that he was a hard determinist as well as a social reformer.

He was one of the key philosophers during the French Enlightenment.
He was an opponent of monarchy and feudal privilege.
He is one of the key figures among those who still believe in determinism over libertarianism and freedom of the will as it relates to human choice.

Credit: Blair

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