Positive Atheism

Devellennes has written an important contribution to our understanding of Enlightenment religion and the history of atheism. – Parker Cotton, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto * Reading Religion *This study represents a surprisingly yet unwritten history of atheism focusing on the point of view of atheists themselves – a fresh and much needed take that moves beyond narratives written by adversaries of atheism. By examining four key thinkers of the French Enlightenment, Devellenes’ outstanding book offers a nuanced and contextualised view of atheism that is carefully attuned to politics. * Rosario López, Assistant Professor, University of Málaga *

Charles Devellennes is Senior Lecturer in Political and Social Thought at the University of Kent. He has written extensively on the history of political thought, including on d’Holbach and Meslier, as well as on atheism both in its historical context and contemporary expressions. His recent works include critiques of the new materialism, as well as a rethinking of the social contract for the Gilets Jaunes movement in France.