La doppia luce delle"espressioni energiche". Metafore e filosofia nelle opere di Denis Diderot

This text delves into Diderot's stylistic choices, paying particular attention to his extensive and strategic use of metaphors and analogies. It puts forward the argument that these literary devices are far from mere ornamentation; rather, they are foundational elements for articulating his philosophical materialism, his critique of dogmatism, and his understanding of nature's inherent complexity. By analyzing key metaphors—including those tied to light, the cosmos (dice, fermentation), and human beings (the sensitive harpsichord, the spider's web)—the text illustrates how Diderot masterfully explored profound concepts like the limits of human knowledge, the very organization of matter, and the intricate relationship between the individual and the vast universe.