The humanistic freethinking of Jean-Marie Guyau

Abstract

The article is devoted to the consideration of some issues of the creative works written by the French philosopher of the second half of the XIX century Jean-Marie Guyau (1855-1888), unfairly forgotten in this country within the period of the whole of the XX century. In particular, it is shown that the creative works of Guyau are inseparably connected with the French freethinking culture. Guyau's views on prospects of the spiritual life in the society are considered: Guyau predicted the lack of religiousness (impiety) in society in the near future. Peculiarities of Guyau's views, the essence of the notion "life" in his interpretation; attitude of Guyau towards the radical manifestations of atheism, towards the upbringing and education in the conditions of the Catholic France. The human-like character of his freethinking is underlined, which in its turn presupposes the overcoming of the bourgeois individualism and selfishness and actually coming out into communist relationship among people. The article bears the familiarization feature and poses the task of attracting the attention of young researches to the heritage of Guyau.