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Three Books Challenge Ascetic Ideals: Meslier, Onfray, Staël

opinion-review · 2026-04-23

A review in artpress discusses three books that collectively oppose ascetic ideals: 'Mémoire' by J. Meslier, 'Théories du corps amoureux. Pour une érotique solaire' by M. Onfray, and 'De l'influence des passions' by Madame de Staël, with a preface by C. Thomas. The article, published on June 1, 2000, presents these works as a unified front against austerity, emphasizing bodily and passionate philosophies.

Key facts

  • Three books are reviewed together as a counter to ascetic ideals.
  • The books are 'Mémoire' by J. Meslier, 'Théories du corps amoureux. Pour une érotique solaire' by M. Onfray, and 'De l'influence des passions' by Madame de Staël.
  • Madame de Staël's book includes a preface by C. Thomas.
  • The review was published in artpress on June 1, 2000.
  • The article's title is 'Guère plus qu'un rien, et bientôt rien'.

Entities

Artists

  • J. Meslier
  • M. Onfray
  • Madame de Staël
  • C. Thomas

Institutions

  • artpress

Sources