User:ZBoxina4/Émilie du Châtelet

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In Discours sur le bonheur, Émilie Du Châtelet argues that illusions are an instrument for happiness. To be happy, “one must have freed oneself of prejudice, one must be virtuous, healthy, have tastes and passions, and be susceptible to illusions…” (Selected Philisophical). She mentions many things one needs for happiness but emphasizes the necessity of illusions as one should not dismiss all illusions. One should not disband all illusions because they can bestow positivity and hope, which can ameliorate oneself well-being. Contrary, Du Châtelet also warns against trusting all illusions because many illusions are harmful to oneself. These may cause negativity through a false reality, which can cause disappointment or even limit one’s abilities. This lack of self-awareness from so many illusions may cause one to be self-deceived. She suggests a balance of trusting and rejecting illusions for happiness so as not to become self-deceived.

In Foundation of Physics, Émilie Du Châtelet discusses avoiding error using two principles – the principle of contradiction and the principle of sufficient reason. Du Châtelet presumed that all knowledge is developed from more fundamental knowledge that relies on infallible knowledge. She states that this infallible fundamental knowledge is most reliable because it is self-explanatory and exists with a small number of conclusions. Her logic and principles are used for an arguably less-flawed understanding of physics, metaphysics, and morals. The principle of contradiction essentially claims that the thing implying a contradiction is impossible, if not it's possible. So, if one does not use the principles of contradiction, one will have errors because one will not accept the right possibility. After all, they fail to reject the contradictory causing element. To get from the possible or impossible to the actual or real, the principle of sufficient reason was revised by Du Châtelet from Leibniz and integrated into science. The principle of sufficient reason suggests that every true thing has a reason for being so, and things without a reason do not exist. In essence, everything has a cause and effect, so the element in question must have a reasonable cause to be so.

In application, Émilie Du Châtelet proposed that being happy and immoral are mutually exclusive. According to Du Châtelet, this principle is embedded within the hearts of all individuals, and even wicked individuals have an undeniable conscious that is grueling. It suggests one cannot be living a happy life while living immorally. So, her suggested happiness requires these illusions with this virtuous life. These illusions she suggests one has are naturally given like passions and tastes, and cannot be created. Du Châtelet recommended we maintain the illusions we receive and work to not dismantle the trustworthy illusions because we cannot get them back. In other words, true happiness is a balance of illusions and morality. If one merely attempts to be moral, they will not obtain the happiness they deeply seek. If one just strives for the illusions, they will not get the happiness they genuinely desire. One needs to endeavor in both illusions and happiness to get the sincerest happiness.