Critical Miscellanies (Vol 2 of 3), Essay 1: Vauvenargues

By John Morley

(3.5 stars) • 10 reviews

Discover how one philosopher championed virtue and instinct as the keys to navigating the messy realities of human existence, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the pessimism of his time.

Genres

Biographies Philosophy & Ethics

Released

2005-10-25

Formats

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Summary

"Critical Miscellanies (Vol 2 of 3), Essay 1: Vauvenargues" by John Morley is a philosophical exploration of an 18th-century thinker, Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues, where Morley shines a light on Vauvenargues' life, thoughts, and the era in which he lived. The book looks at Vauvenargues' ideas about what makes people good and how we should live, setting him apart from others who had gloomier outlooks. Instead of focusing only on reason, Vauvenargues put more weight on having a good heart and doing what feels right, suggesting that being moral comes from within, not from following strict rules. Morley highlights Vauvenargues' skill in balancing people's flaws with an understanding attitude, pushing for a kinder view of human nature that's based on genuine experiences and shows how his wisdom still matters today when considering questions of right and wrong.