Asher P1 T4

Besides Moliere, François-Marie Arouet, commonly known as “Voltaire,” was another French philosopher that expressed his social criticism during the Enlightenment Era. Voltaire was a mixed-reviewer of religion and the philosophies people believed as, according to him, he found that one does not need text or tradition to believe in the revelation of God. Through well-written essays and theatre work, he focused rather on deism, the belief in God based on reason rather than religious disclosure. (Wikipedia) Voltaire had a mentality that upheld everyone should live under a rationalistic natural religion because he believed that all people needed to be free and enjoy their lives, as well as live under the God. He also maintained that there is no morality without God. As a philosopher, he considered pieces of expressed insights were far more valuable than systematic approaches, which he was able to convey through his popularized essay writings. (csudh.edu) Morality, in Voltaire’s eyes, was directly associated with freedom, when one does what one wants to do with personal drive. In relation to politics and society, Voltaire insisted that freedom of reason, freedom of consciousness, and especially right to fair trial were very important. He denounced democracy and distrusted aristocracies; therefore, insisting that a sufficient monarchy is the only true form of government to bring about change: improve education/illiteracy and welfare of subjects. (Wikipedia) Voltaire ultimately contributed to the further development of contemporary European culture by fighting for the humanity and justice of hypocrisies and promoting civil rights during the Enlightenment Era.