R918

Changes in elite and popular culture, such as the developments of new attitudes toward religion, family works and rituals.

Paul D’Holbach’s //Systems of Nature// 1770

In the early enlightenment the new intellectual thoughts were unified in a purpose, but in the later enlightenment the unification began to fall apart due to more radical ideas. Baron Paul D’Holbach believed that humans were machines that were completely controlled by outside forces rather than from within. The idea of God, free will and immortality of the soul was considered foolish and stupid. D’Holbach published his thoughts in his highly controversial //Systems of Nature// in 1770 and his strong atheist thoughts against Christianity and other types of religion caused unity in the enlightenment to halt. Many intellectuals such as Voltaire viewed his deep hatred similar to the dogmatic intolerance that they were trying to rid them selves of. Works cited: McKay, John, Bennett Hill, and John Buckler. A History of Western Society. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2003.