Diderot and the Art of Thinking Freely | Andrew Curran | Talks at Google

Andrew Curran expresses gratitude to the Google Talks team and introduces the subject of the talk, Denis Diderot, an 18th-century Frenchman. Curran poses questions about Diderot's identity and significance, providing a brief historical background. Born in a small city and studying to be a priest in Paris, Diderot became a notorious atheist and philosopher. His life took various turns, from a 'dilettante phase' to becoming a translator and author of scandalous books. Imprisoned for his heretical work, Diderot later contributed significantly to the 'Encyclopédie,' a massive encyclopedia that became a symbol of the democratic power of knowledge. Curran emphasizes Diderot's role as a pioneer in challenging established ideas and traditions.

The paragraph delves into Diderot's philosophical beliefs as a skeptic and empiricist, emphasizing his mission to question received ideas. Diderot's life is characterized by a love for learning and a belief in the miraculous nature of life. His enthusiasm and conversational style are highlighted, including an anecdote about his interaction with Catherine the Great. Curran also discusses Diderot's lesser-known status compared to other Enlightenment figures like Rousseau and Voltaire, contrasting their belief in God with Diderot's more radical stance of thinking 'beyond God.'

Curran shares the challenges of writing about Diderot, including the difficulty of capturing the genius of a man who had a wide range of interests and activities. Diderot's life was not chronologically tidy, as he engaged in diverse intellectual pursuits throughout the day. Curran's approach to structuring the book is also discussed, dividing Diderot's life at the midpoint, with the first half focusing on his early life and struggles, and the second half exploring his thematic work under censorship.

This section describes Curran's experiences in Langres, Diderot's birthplace, and the town's preservation of his legacy. Langres is depicted as a small, unchanged town with a strong connection to Diderot, featuring businesses and institutions named in his honor. Curran's interactions with the locals and the warmth he received highlight the significance of Diderot's influence on the town.

Curran recounts the desecration of Diderot's grave during the French Revolution, illustrating the disregard for his remains by grave robbers and the Church. This event underscores the posthumous neglect of Diderot, despite his significant contributions to philosophy and the Enlightenment. The anecdote serves as a reflection on the legacy of thinkers and the impermanence of their physical remains.

The paragraph reveals that Diderot had written a vast array of works that were hidden away, with the hope they would one day be discovered and have a profound impact. These writings, which included novels, art criticism, and political treatises, were published posthumously and influenced thinkers such as Marx, Freud, and the naturalist movement in literature. The discovery of these manuscripts by a Harvard professor added significantly to Diderot's oeuvre and confirmed his status as a visionary.

Curran discusses the discovery of Diderot's ghostwriting contributions to an anti-colonial text, highlighting his radical political views and his ability to foresee future events, such as slave rebellions. The paragraph emphasizes Diderot's growing relevance in the present day, suggesting that his decision to withhold his most progressive ideas from his contemporaries was to engage more meaningfully with future generations.

The final section presents a Q&A session where Curran addresses questions about Diderot's views on free will, the Enlightenment's current relevance, and practical questions about accessing Diderot's works. Curran provides insights into Diderot's playful and materialist approach to free will, his sadness at the current state of discourse, and recommendations for readers interested in Diderot's writings.

Curran elaborates on the 'Encyclopédie', detailing its origins, the challenges faced during its creation, and its eventual impact on disseminating Enlightenment ideas. The 'Encyclopédie' is portrayed as a revolutionary project that faced opposition from authorities, including shutdowns and calls for book burnings, but ultimately succeeded in spreading its influence across Europe and beyond.

The final paragraph discusses Diderot's visit to Russia and his interactions with Catherine the Great. Curran explains the circumstances that led to Diderot's invitation to the Russian court, highlighting Catherine's desire to import European talent and Diderot's hope to reform Russian society. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the status of philosophers during the Enlightenment era.