De Didot (an III) à Laboulaye (1879) : l’avènement philosophique de Montesquieu

Abstract

At the end of the 18th century, the publication of Montesquieu’s works remained either a controversial issue (see the anonymous “remarques” of Luzac in 1759 and Didot, 1795, who purported to be inspired by Helvetius) or a hagiographic one, such as the Plassan edition (1796-1797). In the 19th century a new approach was developed, with both commercial and intellectual benefits. It consisted in compiling critical notes from various commentators. As Montesquieu returned to favour after the “Restauration”, this type of critical apparatus allowed for debating his work as well as for publishers to stand out from the competition. Laboulaye’s Œuvres complètes (1875-1879) represents a major break. He tried to reconcile his political views as a supporter of the Constitutional Monarchy with his desire to introduce his readers to Montesquieu’s thought, rather than to carry out superficial criticism. Under these conditions only, could Montesquieu’s works be considered philosophical.

Keywords

• Montesquieu
• history of ideas
• critical edition
• philosophy
• 18th century
• French philosophy from the 19th century