Vauvenargues, Luc de Clapiers, marquis de

(1715-1747)

   moralist

   Born in Aix-en-Provence, Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues was forced to abandon his plans for a military career because of illness and so turned to letters. He wrote Caractères, inspired by jean de la bruyère, in which he criticized the follies of the era. He also published Introduction à la connaissance de l'esprit humain, and Maximes et Réflexions (1746), in which he expressed his optimistic confidence in humankind. Believing that the essential human instinct is to do good, he questioned the belief in the supernatural and stated that human nature can be improved in and of itself. Exalting also the goodness of nature, Vauvenargues put his faith in reason and the belief that altruistic sentiments could be put to the service of society. in this moral doctrine, he challenged the theses of blaise pascal and françois de la rochefoucauld.