Video summary

L'Encyclopédie de Diderot et d'Alembert

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Overview

The video explains why L’Encyclopédie—the Enlightenment-era encyclopedia led by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert (published 1751 to 1766)—is considered a key Enlightenment work, and why it faced intense opposition.

Purpose and Significance

  • The encyclopedia aimed to inventory and disseminate knowledge to “emancipate humankind.”
  • It presented itself as a synthesis of Enlightenment thinking, but the speaker emphasizes it was not neutral compilation:
    • It was critical and described as “militant” against:
      • abuses of absolute monarchy
      • religious fanaticism
      • prejudice

Origins of the Project

  • The idea reportedly began as a planned translation of an English encyclopedia (Cyclopaedia by Chambers, 1728).
  • In 1750, bookseller André Le Breton commissioned Diderot and d’Alembert to translate it.
  • They ultimately abandoned the translation and instead chose to create a much larger original work covering all knowledge.

Publishing Scale and Success

  • In 1750, Diderot wrote a prospectus to recruit subscribers.
  • The project attracted:
    • over 1,000 subscribers immediately
    • later reaching about 4,500 subscriptions
  • The speaker notes this was remarkable for the 18th century, when print runs were often around 1,500 copies.
  • The final work consisted of 35 volumes:
    • 17 volumes of text
    • 11 volumes of illustrations
    • plus supplements
  • The first 28 volumes were published over time (1751–1772).

Content and Emphasis

  • The encyclopedia gave major importance to techniques and trades, not just abstract learning.
  • It also highlighted the value and meaning of its illustrations.

Hostility, Censorship, and Publication Tactics

Publication is portrayed as a “real adventure” due to resistance from authorities:

  • The Jesuits opposed it from the first volume, viewing it as subversive.
  • It faced multiple censorship actions and was condemned by the Pope in 1759.
  • To bypass French restrictions, it was ultimately published clandestinely under a Swiss address.

Why It Provoked Conflict

Although many entries look dictionary-like, the video argues that many articles were polemical—implicitly attacking dogmas or political abuses. Examples include:

  • “Hoods”: not merely a garment definition, but an ironic ridicule of religious dogma.
  • Article on “peace”: framed as a denunciation of war, not just a definition.
  • “Refugees”: used to criticize the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the persecution of Protestants.

Who Wrote It

While Diderot and d’Alembert directed the project, the video stresses that they did not write everything alone:

  • There were 158 collaborators, along with many contributors to the illustrations.
  • Named figures include:
    • Voltaire
    • Rousseau
    • and lesser-known but important contributors such as:
      • Jaucourt
      • Dahlback du Marché
      • Damilaville
      • Condillac

Presenters and Contributors

  • Amélie (presenter)
  • Diderot and d’Alembert (project directors)
  • André Le Breton (bookseller who initiated the translation proposal)
  • Voltaire, Rousseau, Jaucourt, Dahlback du Marché, Damilaville, Condillac (named collaborators)

Original video