Chapter 5

HELVÉTIUS.

Three works of which Diderot was regarded as the inspirer 123 Helvétius's _L'Esprit_ 123 Contemporary protests against it 123 Turgot's weighty criticism 124 Real drift of the book 127 Account of Helvétius 127 The style of his book 134 The momentous principle contained in it 135 Adopted from Helvétius by Bentham 136 Helvétius's statement of doctrine of Utility 137 Miscarriage of the doctrine in his hands 139 His fallacy 140 True side of his objectionable position 140 Helvétius's reckless presentation of a true theory 141 Confusion of beneficence with self-love 142 Imitation from Mandeville 143 Mean anecdotes 144 Nature of Helvétius's errors 144 Explanation of them 146 Positive side of his speculation 147 Its true significance 149 Second great paradox of _L'Esprit_ 149 Benjamin Constant's _Adolphe_ 152