Voltaire

Definition

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher known for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. His ideas significantly influenced literature and thought during the Enlightenment, challenging traditional authority and promoting rationality and skepticism in society, especially regarding religion and government.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Voltaire's real name was François-Marie Arouet, but he adopted the pen name Voltaire to reflect his literary persona.
2. He was a prolific writer, producing works in various genres including poetry, plays, essays, and historical analysis, with over 20,000 letters and nearly 2,000 books and pamphlets attributed to him.
3. Voltaire was a fierce critic of religious intolerance, famously declaring 'Écrasez l'infâme' ('Crush the infamous thing') to express his opposition to fanaticism and dogma.
4. He spent a significant portion of his life in exile due to his controversial writings, particularly in England, which profoundly influenced his views on liberty and governance.
5. Voltaire's ideas laid the groundwork for modern concepts of secularism and civil rights, having a lasting impact on subsequent revolutionary movements across Europe and America.

Review Questions

• How did Voltaire's advocacy for civil liberties reflect the broader themes of the Enlightenment?
  • Voltaire's advocacy for civil liberties is a prime example of Enlightenment ideals that emphasized reason, individual rights, and skepticism towards authority. His writings challenged established norms regarding religion and governance, promoting a rational approach to societal issues. By arguing for freedom of speech and religious tolerance, Voltaire embodied the Enlightenment's push against dogma and oppression, influencing contemporary thinkers and future revolutions.
• In what ways did Voltaire use satire in 'Candide' to critique optimism and societal norms?
  • In 'Candide', Voltaire employed satire to highlight the absurdity of philosophical optimism as espoused by characters like Pangloss. Through Candide's misadventures—filled with suffering and irony—Voltaire criticized not only blind optimism but also social injustices and the folly of blindly adhering to optimistic philosophies. The novella serves as both entertainment and a profound commentary on human suffering, questioning whether happiness can truly be achieved amidst chaos.
• Evaluate the impact of Voltaire's thoughts on Deism on modern perspectives about religion and governance.
  • Voltaire's embrace of Deism significantly shaped modern views on religion and governance by advocating for reason over blind faith. He suggested that understanding nature through reason could lead one to recognize a creator without necessitating organized religion. This perspective encouraged secular governance by arguing for a separation between church and state, laying foundational ideas for contemporary discussions about religious tolerance, human rights, and the role of reason in public life.

Related terms

Enlightenment:

An intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries emphasizing reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional doctrines.

Candide:

A satirical novella written by Voltaire that critiques optimism and explores themes of suffering, philosophical folly, and the human condition.

Deism:

A belief system that emerged during the Enlightenment, asserting that reason and observation of the natural world are sufficient to determine the existence of a creator without reliance on organized religion.