Philippe Fréchet (sous la direction de), Pierre Bayle et la liberté de conscience, Anacharsis, 2012
Pierre Bayle et la liberté de conscience, est un ouvrage rassemblant les actes du colloque d’octobre 2009 qui s’est tenu au Carla-Bayle, village natal de l’auteur, dans l’Ariège. Coordonné par Philippe Fréchet, le livre présente 16 communications qui ont toutes pour ambition de redécouvrir un Pierre Bayle qui était trop souvent associé à la seule idée de « tolérance » et au Dictionnaire historique et critique.
This book, under the direction of Philippe Fréchet, compiles various conferences on the works of Pierre Bayle, best known for his Historical and Critical Dictionary. The collected essays try to renew the thinker’s studies, which usually tend to focus on his famous plea for toleration in religious matters. The essays point out the various historical and religious backgrounds of Bayle’s miscellaneous works; they also underscore the influence of libertinism upon his thought. The essays thus highlight the Calvinist philosopher’s acquaintance with the metaphysical controversies of the 17th century. Exploring the genesis of Bayle’s idea of separation between faith and reason, the articles emphasise his heritage in relation to the Enlightenment.