Diderot observes that fundamental moral principles haven't changed much throughout history. Despite societal and technological progress, the basic tenets of right and wrong have remained remarkably consistent over time, indicating a stable human ethical core.
Quote by Denis Diderot: “From the beginning of the world until the present, there has been little innovation in morality.”
From the beginning of the world until the present, there has been little innovation in morality.
Insight
Historical Context
Diderot was working on the monumental Encyclopédie, which aimed to compile all human knowledge. His article on 'Moral' would naturally reflect on the constancy or variability of ethical codes across cultures and eras, offering a historical perspective.
About the Author
French philosopher and writer born in 1713, the chief editor of the Encyclopédie, one of the most ambitious intellectual projects of the Enlightenment. The Encyclopédie sought to gather and disseminate all human knowledge in one place and to challenge religious and political orthodoxy through reason. He was imprisoned for his writings attacking religion.
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