Julien Offray de La Mettrie: Biography, Achievements & Lasting Legacy
Who Was Julien Offray de La Mettrie?
Julien Offray de La Mettrie (French: [ɔfʁɛ də la metʁi]; 23 November 1709 – 11 November 1751) was a French physician and philosopher, and one of the earliest of the French materialists of the Enlightenment. He is best known for his 1747 work L'homme machine (Man a Machine).
La Mettrie is most remembered for taking the position that humans are complex animals and no more have souls than other animals do. He considered that the mind is part of the body and that life should be lived so as to produce pleasure (hedonism). His views were so controversial that he had to flee France and settle in Berlin.
Key Facts
- Born: November 23, 1709 in Saint-Malo, France
- Died: 1751
- Field: Art
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Julien Offray de La Mettrie extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped visual arts and creative expression, and his works and artistic innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though he passed away in 1751, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
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Take the IQ test →Julien Offray de La Mettrie remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from France, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
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