Estudio introductorio a “ De la educación moral del hombre ”texto inédito en castellano de Claude Adrien Helvétius

Resumo

The brief but important text by Helvétius contained in Chapter VII of his work " De L'homme, de ses facultées intelectuelles et de son education " is translated into Spanish for the first time her. Its simplicity in style should not be mistaken for simplicity in argument. Rather Helvétius's aim is to create a work that a large portion ofthe population could understand as well as to transmit to them. the idea that utility must be the ground for social reform, government and education. A critical íntroduction preceeds the chapter by Helvétius. An analysis of the author -his works and philosophy- is made to sorne extent, emphasizing the relevance of the posthumous work De L'homme, and its particular value as it shows the author's true radical ideas -not revealed in his previous works- concerning the Church and the King as actual hindrances for an enlightened system of education. His arguments are grounded on an ethícal approach that clearly anticipates the main tenets of utilitarianism.