Jacques the Fatalist and his Master

Denis Diderot

May 2024 · Livraria Press

About this ebook

A new translation of Denis Diderot's 1776 Jacques the Fatalist and his Master from the original French manuscript into American English. This edition contains an afterword by the translator on Diderot's philosophic legacy, a timeline of his works and life, and a glossary of philosophic terminology utilized in his works. Jacques the Fatalist and his Master" is one of diderot's most famous novels focusing on determinism and free will. The story revolves around the Socratic conversations between Jacques and his unnamed master, exploring themes of fate, chance, and the nature of human agency. This work is quite similar to Voltaire's 1728 Philosophical Dialogues and his 1777 The Dialogues of Euhemerus. Diderot uses the novel to question the idea of a predetermined destiny and argues for the importance of individual choice and personal responsibility. "Jacques the Fatalist" had a significant impact on literary and philosophical circles, with many intellectuals admiring Diderot's subversion of narrative conventions and his exploration of existential themes. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe praised the novel, stating that it "penetrates into the darkest depths of human existence and throws a clear light on everything." The work remains a classic of French literature and continues to be studied and celebrated for its innovative narrative structure and philosophical inquiries. Denis Diderot is a critical figure of the Enlightenment who receives little attention from modern day philosophers. Diderot lived in the shadow of Rousseau and Volatire, whom he knew and worked with.

About the author

A friend of Rousseau, Diderot was an Enlightenment writer and Philosopher. Diderot's other works spanned a wide range of genres, including novels, scientific treatises, and art criticism. His novel "Jacques the Fatalist" explores themes of determinism and free will, while "Rameau's Nephew" is a dialogic exploration of moral relativism and the nature of genius. In his art criticism, notably his writings on the Salons (the official art exhibitions in Paris), Diderot was pioneering, blending detailed descriptions with broader philosophical reflections on art and aesthetics.