Philosophy and theatre in the century of enlightenment

Diderot, Voltaire and Rousseau

Abstract

The theatrical performance has always been a continual concern during all the history of humanity, because it performs an art where people have certain stories that arouse many feelings and insights to the spectators. It highlights the fact that the theatrical performance has special importance for philosophical reflection, especially in the characteristic illustration of the philosophy of the eighteenth century. In this context, several thinkers participated intensely of the political reality of this time, using the theatrical practice on several occasions, both for the contribution to the intellectual framework and to portray the daily life of the rising class, namely the bourgeoisie. Among these thinkers, this paper will highlight the Voltaire conceptions of representation of the aristocratic theater, establishing it as a powerful means of education; Diderot about the genesis of the drama, where art had the function of refining and instructing individuals, representing the aspirations of the bourgeoisie. Since the conception of Jean-Jacques Rousseau about the theater, unlike the two mentioned thinkers, says the educational role of the theater is illusory, as the theatrical representation only reflects the passions of their audience. Thus, it is emphasized that the Genevan thinker followed a contrary understanding to the thinkers of the period.