The theologians were aroused by his conceptions of geological history; others criticized his views on biological classification; the philosopher Etienne de Condillac disputed his views on the mental faculties of animals; and many took from his work only some general philosophical ideas about nature that were not faithful to what he had written. Voltaire did not appreciate his style, and d'Alembert called him "the great phrasemonger."
Ang theologians ay aroused sa pamamagitan ng kanyang conceptions ng geological history; iba criticized kanyang views sa biological pag-uuri; ang pilosopo Etienne de Condillac ang mga pinagtatalunang kanyang views sa mental faculties ng mga hayop; at maraming mga kinuha mula sa kanyang trabaho lamang ng ilang pilosopiko pangkalahatang ideya tungkol sa kalikasan na hindi tapat sa kung ano ang isinulat niya. Voltaire hindi pinasasalamatan ang kanyang estilo, at d'Alembert tinatawag siya "ang dakilang preysmonger."