HOLBACH, PAUL HErNnicrt DIETRICH, Baron von, a French philosopher of the 18th c., was b. of wealthy parents, at Heidelsheim, in the Palatinate, in 1723. At an early age lie went to Paris, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life. He died June 21, 1789. As Holbach was remarkable for his agreeable social qualities, and kept a good table, the most eminent thinkers and writers of the day, such as Con dorcet, Diderot, Duelos, Raynal, Rousseau, Buffon, etc., were in time habit of assembling at his house. The witty abbe Galiani called Holbach the maitre d'hblel of philosophy. Here speculation, it is said, was carried to such daring lengths that Buffon, D'Alembert, and Rousseau were compelled to withdraw from the circle. Hol bach was the zealous champion of naturalism, and contended not only against Chris tianity, but against every positive religion. His principal work is the Systeme de la _Nature (published in 1770). In this work the author endeavors to expound the natural principles of morality, and to investigate the origin of the conflicting opinions on virtue and vice. He discusses the maxims of religious morality, and takes a rapid survey of social
and savage life. He touches on the so-called " social compact," and in the course of his observations tries to prove, among other things, that self-interest is the ruling motive of man. and that God is only an ideal being, created by kings and priests. The material ism of the French philosophes of the 18th c. is nowhere more pernicious and paltry than in the writina.s of Holbach. It is but fair to state that his life was better than his books. He was a man of o. heart and, in spite of his theory, of most unselfish benevolence. When the Jesuits fellinto disgrace during the reign of Louis XV., Holbach, though lie hated their system and had written against them in the days of their prosperity, made his house an asylum for his old foes when the clouds gathered round them.