MAUPERTUIS, PIERRE-LOUIS. – Philosopher, born in St-Malo on 17 July 1698, died in Basel on 27 July 1759. A most prolific writer, he disseminated his Enlightenment syncretism in various writings and memoirs (cf. Oeuvres, Lyon 1768).
For M., the universal principle that governs the realm of nature is the desire to be happy; hence he constructs his philosophical system as a eudemonistic methodology. M. defended Newton’s ideas in France; but for him the law of universal gravitation cannot, in any event, explain all the phenomena of life; désir, l'aversion, la mémoire are elements added to Newtonian laws. Atomistic naturalism is regulated by a “certain” principle of intelligence.