To a priest's conspiracy? Imposture and fanaticism in Meslier's Mémoire

MANUEL TIZZIANI

Lyon

Seminario; Weekly Seminar. Collegium / Institut d?études avancées de Lyon; 2020

Collegium / Institut d?études avancées de Lyon,

According to the central thesis of L'Esprit de Spinoza, religions have always been used as political domination instruments. In the Mémoire of Meslier, an author who agrees with this thesis, the situation seems different. According to the priest, ignorance and superstition no only play an essential role among the dominated people, but also in some of those who exercise power. Meslier offers two examples of these fanatical impostors: that of Jesus Christ, whose case is irremediable, and that of priests ? or at least some of them ? who, according to Meslier, can still change their ways. Therefore, in this text, we intend to examine these two examples to clarify Meslier's criticisms and intentions. The aim is to show that the priest believes that some of these fanatics will accept his atheistic arguments.