PhilosophersGilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette
Gilbert du Motier, marquis de La Fayette
On 11 July 1789 he presented the first draft of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
EnlightenmentLiberalism1757 · 1834 FranceChavaniac (Auvergne)
Life
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (Chavaniac 1757 - Paris 1834), French officer. He fought alongside the Americans in the War of Independence, then played a major role at the start of the French Revolution. On 11 July 1789 he presented to the Assembly a draft Declaration of Rights, which influenced the one of August 1789. He commanded the National Guard.
Main works
1789
Draft Declaration of Rights
First draft presented to the Constituent Assembly, on 11 July 1789.
In his own words
« Nature has made men free and equal; the distinctions necessary to social order are founded only on general utility. »
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceDo good and evil exist objectively?Status of morality
Anti-realism (morality is human-made)Moral realism (objective moral truths)
Interpretation
His draft declares natural, inalienable rights that exist before any law.
La Fayette, Projet de Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen (11 July 1789)