Joseph De Maistre by John Morley

Name: Joseph De Maistre
Author: John Morley

The biography focuses on the life and ideas of Joseph de Maistre, a French philosopher and diplomat who played a significant role in shaping European conservatism during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Born into a noble family, de Maistre's experiences as a witness to the Reign of Terror and his subsequent exile influenced his philosophical views on politics, morality, and society. The book explores de Maistre's intellectual development, from his early Catholicism to his later advocacy for absolute monarchy and traditional authority. His concept of "sacred history" is examined in detail, as well as his critiques of the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reason and individualism. Throughout the biography, Morley highlights de Maistre's complex and often contradictory personality, which was marked by both a deep sense of tradition and a willingness to challenge established authority. The book also delves into de Maistre's relationships with other influential thinkers of his time, including Edmund Burke and Friedrich Schelling. Ultimately, the biography presents a nuanced portrait of Joseph de Maistre as a multifaceted figure who continues to influence contemporary debates about politics, morality, and culture.

By John Morley · First published 1851 · Genre: Biography, Philosophy, Political Theory · 4 chapters · 24,265 words

First lines

Owing to causes which lie tolerably near the surface, the remarkable Catholic reaction which took place in France at the beginning of the present century, has never received in England the attention that it deserves; not only for its striking interest as an episode in the history of European thought, but also for its peculiarly forcible and complete presentation of those ideas with which what is called the modern spirit is supposed to be engaged in deadly war. For one thing, the Protestantism of England strips a genuinely Catholic movement of speculation of that pressing and practical importance which belongs to it in countries where nearly all spiritual sentiment, that has received any impression of religion at all, unavoidably runs in Catholic forms. With us the theological reaction against the ideas of the eighteenth was not and could not be other than Protestant. The defence and reinstatement of Christianity in each case was conducted, as might have been expected, with reference to the dominant creed and system of the country. If Coleridge had been a Catholic, his works thus newly coloured by an alien creed would have been read by a small sect only, instead of exercising as they did a wide influence over the whole nation, reaching people through those usual conduits of press and pulpit, by which the products of philosophic thought are conveyed to unphilosophic minds.

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Joseph De Maistre is listed on Textopian as an essay by John Morley, dated 1851 CE.

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Work type: Essay
Author: John Morley
Date: 1851 CE
Language: English
Genres: Biography, Philosophy, Political Theory, History, Literary Criticism
Length: 24,265 words
Structure: 4 chapters, 123 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Biography — The work focuses on the life and thoughts of a historical figure, providing insights into his personal experiences and intellectual contributions.
Philosophy — The text explores complex philosophical ideas and theories, reflecting on themes such as authority, tradition, and the nature of society.
Political Theory — It examines political concepts and ideologies, particularly in relation to governance and the role of the state.
History — The work contextualizes the subject within historical events and movements, offering a narrative that connects personal and political history.