The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1
The System of Nature, published in 1770 under the name of a deceased academician, Mirabaud, was in fact written by Paul Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach, the German-born host of the Paris circle of Enlightenment philosophers. It is one of the first open statements of materialism and atheism in modern Europe. This first volume sets out the laws of nature and of motion, presents man as a purely physical being, derives the faculties of the mind from sensation, denies free will and the immortality of the soul, and argues that happiness depends on understanding nature rather than fearing gods. The book was condemned and burned. The translation is by Samuel Wilkinson. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1
The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 by Paul Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 online?
Yes. The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 in the public domain?
Yes. The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 by Paul Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1?
About 8 h 04 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1?
The System of Nature, or, the Laws of the Moral and Physical World. Volume 1 by Paul Henri Thiry, Baron d'Holbach is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
