Voltaire

Definition

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher known for his wit, criticism of the established church, and advocacy for civil liberties. He was a prominent figure in the intellectual movement that emphasized reason, skepticism of authority, and the promotion of individual rights, all of which influenced the Romantic era's emphasis on emotion and personal expression.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Voltaire was an outspoken critic of the French government and the Catholic Church, famously advocating for freedom of speech and religious tolerance.
2. His most famous work, 'Candide', is a satirical novella that critiques optimism and presents a more realistic view of human existence.
3. Voltaire's writings contributed to the development of modern secular thought, questioning the role of religion in public life.
4. He famously declared, 'Écrasez l'infâme' (Crush the infamous thing), referring to superstition and intolerance.
5. Voltaire's ideas about individual rights and reason laid important groundwork for later Romantic thinkers who valued emotion and personal experience.

Review Questions

• How did Voltaire's critique of religion influence Romantic thinkers who followed him?
  • Voltaire's sharp critique of organized religion, particularly his call for religious tolerance and freedom of thought, set a foundation for Romantic thinkers who emphasized individualism and emotional authenticity. Romantic writers often reacted against Enlightenment rationality by valuing personal experience and feelings. Voltaire's challenge to dogma encouraged later authors to explore themes of spiritual autonomy and subjective truth, fostering an environment where emotional depth became a central concern.
• Discuss the relationship between Voltaire's ideas on civil liberties and the broader Enlightenment movement.
  • Voltaire was a key figure in the Enlightenment, advocating for civil liberties such as freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and individual rights. His work exemplified the Enlightenment's goal of using reason to challenge oppression and promote human dignity. This alignment with Enlightenment principles not only positioned Voltaire as a leading voice against tyranny but also inspired later movements that sought to achieve similar rights, ultimately influencing political revolutions in Europe and beyond.
• Evaluate how Voltaire's philosophies contribute to the cultural shift towards Romanticism during his era.
  • Voltaire's emphasis on reason, skepticism towards authority, and advocacy for personal freedom laid crucial groundwork for the cultural transition into Romanticism. While Enlightenment thinkers focused on rationality, Voltaire’s critique fostered a space where emotion and individual experience began to gain importance. This shift allowed Romantic writers to explore deep emotional landscapes while still drawing on Enlightenment ideals about liberty and personal agency. Voltaire’s legacy prompted an embrace of both reasoned thought and passionate expression as central tenets of human experience.

Related terms

Enlightenment: An intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individualism over tradition and religious authority.

Philosophes: French thinkers of the Enlightenment who promoted knowledge, reason, and reform in society; they often challenged existing norms and traditions.

Deism: A philosophical belief in a rational God who does not intervene in the universe; it gained popularity during the Enlightenment and influenced many Enlightenment thinkers, including Voltaire.