“I have chosen the book entitled The Fable of the Bees amongst all those which I could have translated because it seems to me to be in all the world most made for humanity in general. I believe it to be the best book on morals that has ever been written, that is to say it leads back men most closely to the true source of the sentiments to which nearly all of them abandon themselves without further examination. […]

The book contains ideas which may seem a little daring, but I believe that what counts is to examine whether they are just, for if they are true and if they teach man to know himself, then they cannot fail to be useful to people who think – and it is only for these that this book is intended.”

~Émilie Du Châtelet, Commentary on the Fable of the Bees, Preface 1935

Are You One of the People Who Think? Then these Ideas are for You:

Explore Du Châtelet’s commentary, her engagement with Mandeville’s controversial ideas, and her philosophical legacy. Join an international community of students and scholars at the Libori Summer School 2025 and take part in a week of lively discussion and discovery. Apply now – the deadline is August 31, 2025.
Send your application to: contact@historyofwomenphilosophers.org

All information about the program and registration can be found here.