Formey continuateur de l'Encyclopédie

David Adams: Formey's Continuation of the Encyclopédie. J.H.S. Formey's plan of publishing a reduced version of the Encyclopédie which would remove all heterodox tendencies is well known, but scholars have concluded that the long-standing project never came to fruition. However this article, based on an extremely rare copy owned by the author, presents and studies Formey's Dictionnaire instructif, dedicated to Prince Henry of Prussia, published in 1767. The Préface, which claims that the project was Henry's idea, explains that the work, based mainly on Furetière and on the first ten volumes of the Encyclopédie was intended to provide the basic knowledge of use to a cultivated man. An analysis of certain articles indicates that Formey was concerned to eradicate what might undermine religion and morality, with the result that while he is open to new scientific discoveries, he is conservative in politics and religion. His Dictionnaire thus bears witness to the 18th Century's contradictions and uncertainties.Adams David. Formey continuateur de l'Encyclopédie. In: Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie, n°13, 1992. pp. 117-129