Various Thoughts on the Occasion of a Comet

The book addresses the societal panic triggered by a comet, prompting Pierre Bayle to challenge the role of superstition in politics. He controversially argues for the feasibility of a moral society comprised of atheists, a groundbreaking notion in political philosophy. This edition offers the only current English translation, based on a new critical edition of the original French text. It also features an insightful interpretive essay that highlights Bayle's significant contributions to Enlightenment thought and his lasting impact on modern philosophy.