philosophes

1. A group of radical thinkers and writers in France in the eighteenth century, including Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau . The philosophes stressed the use of human reason and were especially critical of established religious and political practices in France.

Example Sentences

The philosophes desired freedom of thought in religion, constitutional liberty, and the abolition of privilege of all kinds.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a violent case of prejudice, this ordinary appeal of Bossuet, 'Qu'ont gagné les philosophes avec leurs discours pompeux?'

From Project Gutenberg

He pours out his contempt on the Parisian philosophes who idealized primitive man and natural virtue.

From Project Gutenberg

The literary world is divided into three corresponding classes—rudits, philosophes and beaux esprits.

From Project Gutenberg

In France it was lauded by the philosophes, while it was scouted by the medical faculty.

From Project Gutenberg