Métaphysique et éthique clandestines : le cas Delaube

Abstract

Taking by object the work Reflexions morales et les religions métaphysiques sur les et de l'homme connaissances, early eighteenth century manuscript attributed to Delaube, this article aims to show the pluralism of clandestine speech in the Réflexions defending a spiritualist monism quite original, which largely keeps away from metaphysical concerns of the libertine currents inherent to most clandestine manuscripts. However, despite its spiritualist metaphysics option, the manuscript of Delaube does not leave the issues discussed at that time, like the delicate conciliation of the universal determinism and human freedom, and the essential questions of the clandestine authors, as the denunciation of religious imposture in political vocation. Despite these thematic approaches, Réflexions does not preserve an unsuspected interest, proposing a most original new ethics, which was only proposed by Theophrastus redivivus can be equalized within the clandestine current.