The thinker, who was dealing with earth science due to his profession, saw that the evolution of the world did not comply with what was told in the Bible. He learned Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac languages in order to study the Bible texts in a healthier way.
(1722-1759) French thinker. He defended the view that the idea of religion stems from the fear created by great natural events. Nicolas Antoine Boulanger was born in Paris and died there. He first studied literature at Beauvais College, then studied mathematics and architecture. After graduating from school in 1743, he went into business. Boulanger, who was especially successful in bridge construction, went to Tours and then to Paris when his health deteriorated. He retired in 1758 and died a year later.
The thinker, who was dealing with earth science due to his profession, saw that the evolution of the world did not comply with what was told in the Bible. He learned Arabic, Hebrew, and Syriac languages in order to study the Bible texts in a healthier way.
He focused on the problems of belief arising from religion. He investigated the reasons for the formation of these problems. Examining the effects of major natural events and the story of the Flood in the Torah on societies, Boulanger argued that the superstitions and thoughts that shook individuals were born from the fear created by these events. According to his opinion after long research, this fear has passed from generation to generation and has become an unchangeable tradition. The reason why religious symbols are identical in all communities is the common shock created by this fear. The deep fear of primitive man in the face of natural events, the causes of which he could not know or explain, took a new form and turned into beliefs as centuries passed. As in all polytheistic religions, the source of beliefs, traditional ceremonies, and practices in monotheistic religions is the fear that lies deep in the past.
Boulanger, whose name is praised in some of Voltaire's writings, wrote important articles for the Encyclopedia. His works were published posthumously.