How does Rameau’s Nephew criticize the hypocrisy of French society?

In Rameau’s Nephew, Denis Diderot utilizes a witty, spontaneous dialogue between himself (as "Moi") and a cynical, bohemian musician ("Lui") to satirize the moral failings of 18th-century French society.12

The work functions as a critique of contemporary hypocrisy by exposing the "cant" of social norms. Through the character of the nephew—a self-described parasite who is both eccentric and shamelessly selfish—Diderot highlights a society where mediocrity is permitted to flourish. By presenting this character alongside his own philosophical perspective, Diderot challenges the integrity of established morality, revealing the complex and often ambivalent nature of human ethics.21

The dialogue serves as a vehicle for broader social commentary, including diatribes against the author's enemies and discussions on the nature of genius and art, ultimately stripping away the facade of polite society to reveal the underlying self-interest and moral contradictions of the era.12