Interpretation of the French Revolution as a means of political forecasting: On the concept of Paul Janet

Abstract

The article analyzes the ideas of one of the classics of 19th century French philosophy about the essence of the French Revolution concepts. He divided their history into two stages, referring to the first (until the middle of the 19th century) categorical, tough assessments, to the second — calmer and more balanced. The typology of concepts of the French Revolution proposed by him contains historical, philosophical, mystical and theocratic, liberal, republican, democratic-socialist, economic schools. Burke, who fell upon the abstract foundations of the revolution, according to Janet, was mistaken, for it was about justice and improving social life. Fichte, on the contrary, with youthful naivety developed a speculative interpretation of revolutionary events. Janet believed that Fichte, who was carried away by the abstract formulation of the question of the revolution, did not notice the full complexity of the problem. Saint-Martin, the mystic, expected a renewal of religion from the revolution, his forecasts did not come true. Joseph de Maistre saw the revolution as a heavenly punishment, predicting a return to the previous orders. Janet criticizes the socialists for extolling Robespierre with “revolutionary fanaticism” and justifying all the acts of the Jacobeans. Explaining his plan, Janet stated that he was only going to become a historian of the concepts of the French Revolution, to study their philosophy. But in fact, he goes beyond this task, because in his desire to find the truth in the variety of opinions he eventually comes to the formulation of his own social ideal. This ideal highlights legal justice. For Janet, the revolution appears as a natural result of the entire previous history, in which the main attitudes of common sense were determined. It was these attitudes that were systematically fixed by the French Revolution. Given the mentioned context, the future task was seen by the philosopher in the peaceful development and completion of the revolution.