Para (du Phanjas), Francois
a philosophical writer of France, was born in the castle Phanjas, Dauphine, in 1724. He joined the Jesuits of Embrun, and soon distinguished himself as a philosopher and mathematician. Para died at Paris in 1797. Of his works; we mention, Elements de Metaphysiques Sacrae et Profane (2d ed. Paris, 1779, 3 volumes): — Les Principes de la Saine Philosophie Concilies avec Ceux de la Religion (1774, 2 volumes): — Institutiones Philosophicae (published posthumously, in 1800): — Tableau Historique et Philosophique de la Religion (1784). See Lichtenberger, Encyclop. des Sciences Religieuses, s.v. (B.P.)