ÉDUQUER SA CONSCIENCE DANS LETTRES À MON FILS DE LOUISE D’ÉPINAY

EDUCATING ONE’S CONSCIENCE IN LETTRES À MON FILS BY LOUISE D’ÉPINAY

Abstract

In 1759, Louise d’Épinay published Lettres à mon fils, an epistolary work addressed to Louis Joseph de Lalive d’Épinay. The twelve letters summarize the educational principles she advocates for, as well as the concept of self-identity construction. I address the idea of educating one’s conscience and analyse the way in which the springs of one’s
personality are driven not by a society dominated by superficiality and artifice, but by the just principles of good and truth, as revealed by a conscience endowed with discernment and dedicated to achieving happiness, rather than aiming at one’s own satisfaction. I also discuss the idea of self-knowledge: the innate and acquired qualities that are to be continuously perfected by means of the will and effort and put in the service of the other, which also acts as a defence against any form of negative influence. An exercise in discernment, carefully directed towards oneself and the world, contributes to the refinement of conscience: in this sense, education must emphasize the role of language as the vehicle of truth and virtue as the essence of an honest man. The stage of childhood, for an aristocrat, is oriented towards discovering one’s vocation, which allows one to contribute to the improvement of society.