Book excerpt: A prominent figure of the Age of Enlightenment, the French philosopher Denis Diderot served as chief editor of the ‘Encyclopédie’, the first encyclopaedia to include contributions from many named contributors. He developed a materialist philosophy and arrived at startling intuitive insights into biology and chemistry. In speculating on the origins of life without divine intervention, he foreshadowed the evolutionary theories of Darwin and put forth a prophetic picture of the cellular structure of matter. His ideas, often captured in the form of paradox and dialogue, stem from a sense of life’s ambiguities and a profound understanding of the complexities and contradictions of human nature. This eBook presents Diderot’s collected works, with numerous illustrations, rare texts appearing in digital print for the first time, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Diderot’s life and works * Concise introductions to the major texts * Many important treatises, with individual contents tables * Features translations appearing for the first time in digital publishing * Images of how the books were first published, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the texts * Features three biographies – discover Diderot’s intriguing life * Ordering of texts into chronological order and genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles CONTENTS: The Novels The Indiscreet Toys (1748) Memoirs of a Nun (1796) The Philosophical Works Philosophical Thoughts (1746) Letter on the Blind (1749) Letter on the Deaf and Dumb (1751) On Composition (1755) My Strange Thoughts on Drawing (1755) Letter to My Brother (1760) Freedom of Thought (1765) Maimonides (1765) Rameau’s Nephew (1774) Conversation between D’Alembert and Diderot (1769) Regrets for my Old Dressing Gown (1769) Thoughts on Religion (1770) A Father Talks with his Children (1771) Paradox of the Actor (1830) The Biographies Diderot and the Encyclopædists (1886) by John Morley Diderot: The Talker (1906) by Evelyn Beatrice Hall Denis Diderot (1911) by John Morley Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of exciting titles or to purchase this eBook as a Parts Edition of individual eBooks