Do sensualismo à sociedade em Helvétius: a educação e a legislação como veículos civilizadores

Abstract

The article investigates how education and legislation can be allied to the sensualism of Claude-Adrien Helvetius for the progressive improvement of a society. If we consider that the human beings have the physical sensibility as the primary access to what surrounds them, and consequently is the principle of pleasure that guides their actions, we have apparently an individualistic conception of human being. However, according to the author, it is this same principle that can lead human beings to the general interest. In this way, it is necessary to comprehend the role of education and legislation proposed by Helvétius to link the private interest to the public interest.