, Marek Mosakowski
https://doi.org/10.21697/kmt.2023.55.02
The article deals with voices of selected figures of the French Enlightenment about Portugal and the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. Although Portugal was perceived in France as a European power who greatly contributed to the development of global trade, it was also criticized for its religious intolerance and fanaticism. However, what attracted thinkers of the French Enlightenment the
most, was the Lisbon earthquake. Our analysis of this issue is divided into three parts. Firstly, we look at the French philosophers, who rejected Leibnizian optimism and Divine Providence. Secondly, we discuss theological standpoint of Dulard, who far from denying God’s wisdom and goodness saw in this natural disaster either Devine punishment or a necessary part of God’s intelligent
design. Thirdly, we discuss Rousseau, who defended God’s providence, blaming for the Lisbon tragedy degenerate humans living in the state of culture in too densely populated cities.
Język Polski
English