Within the Enlightenment Era, Voltaire was a philosopher who heavily criticized philosophy of the Restoration society. Voltaire had written the book, Candid, which made fun of the optimism philosopher Leibniz, and he often targeted the philosophical ideas of Descartes. Cartesian scientific philosophy had reduced physics to geometry and denied the absoluteness of motion, did not recognize gravitation by reducing matter to extension, and explained the motion of solar planets by a heliocentric vortex. A follower of Isaac Newton, Voltaire heavily attacked the Restoration scientific philosophy by contrasting Newton’s ideas of universal gravitation, physics, and astronomy. In regards to the human spirit, he criticized Descartes for writing a novel about it whereas praised John Locke for writing a history about it. Voltaire felt that Lock’s ability to explain the origin and the process of the development of human spirit was crucial. Rather than the Restoration period’s Christianity, he was involved with British Deism. Voltaire had thus fought against the traditional establishment of Christianity, arguing that true religion was based on one’s love for God and others, and not on religious dogmas that are blindly followed. Voltaire argued that religion must be rationalistic, natural, and moral and that morality is possible through the concept of God. "If God did not exist,” Voltaire stated, “we must invent God!" It was because of Voltaire’s philosophical success, that he was able to make philosophy more popular among the public and paved the way for other philosophers’ social criticisms.
Dylan Mulcahy
Jenny Zhan
Caleb Ong
James Jin
This was a good discussion of Voltaire's methods and views. It's good that you mentioned his conceptions of religion, a major element in the changing role of religion and faith in the Enlightenment. We also liked that you went into depth about Voltaire's specific achievements and works. However, what about other writers and philosophers of the time? The question asks "Besides Moliere, which other artists, writers, or philosophers expressed their social criticism"--note the plural. It might have been good if you had included a few more of the other notable satirists of the time, such as Pope or Swift.
ReplyDeleteWell done!
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