International Social Science Journal (Chinese Edition)

No.2, 2023

 

Fanaticism and The Spirit of Moderation: Madame de Staël on the Two Faces of Freedom in Revolution

(Abstract)

 

Pan Dan and Zhang Yakun

 

The French Revolution was committed to putting Enlightenment ideals into practice, establishing a representative republic based on popular sovereignty to ensure the realization of freedom. Defending the legitimacy of the revolution, Madame de Staël also dissected the prevailing fanaticism in radical revolution: this extreme political passion, though claimed in the name of liberty, was actually a secularized passion of egoism. The stubborn blind faith and fervent admiration for abstract rights led to a rapid inflation of fanaticism, leading France into factional strife and chaotic turmoil. Madame de Staël called for the pursuit of freedom to be guided by a spirit of moderation. After repeated failures in attempts at political compromise, she turned to explore the possibilities of moderation in literary creation, presenting in her novel “Delphine” individual who embody true freedom. This individual should be able to balance his natural inclinations with social ethics, cultivate virtue with motivated willpower, refine reason, and nurture a spirit of enlightened moderation, which is the essence of freedom.