Letters To Eugenia; Or, A Preservative Against Religious Prejudices

by Paul Henri Thiry Holbach

"Letters to Eugenia; Or, A Preservative Against Religious Prejudices" by Holbach is a philosophical treatise written in the late 18th century. This work takes the form of a series of letters addressed to a woman named Eugenia, wherein the author seeks to liberate her from the shackles of religious dogma, arguing instead for the use of reason and philosophy as the basis for morality and understanding of the divine. At the start of the book, the correspondence begins with Eugenia expressing her distress over religious fears and anxieties that overshadow her otherwise luxurious life. Her friend, the author, responds with compassion and commitment to draw her away from superstition and towards enlightenment. He emphasizes the dangers of religious prejudice, attributing her turmoil to the harmful effects of false beliefs instilled during her education. He urges her to rely on her own understanding and reason, signaling the book's overarching goal: to provide enlightenment and foster a moral philosophy rooted in human experience rather than religious tradition.