how does voltaire view the world?

Question

I need help with an essay i have to do for a course. Voltaire and religious toleration. If anyone has any resources please send them my way.

Answer 1

It can be said that Voltaire did not possess any type of tolerance for religious or philosophical issues. When exploring Candide, you can see that Voltaire possesses little tolerance for imagination. While Leibnitz is the philosopher for whom Pangloss is modeled, you also see that all religous come to some horrible end. Also, as you see them come to this end, he embodies the hypocrisy that was prevalent during that time. The fact that Cunegonde has relations with both a Christian and a Jew highlight the fact that no one possessed of a Judeo-Christian sensibilities was virtuous. As a matter fact, Voltaire distorts that idea so much that only people who truly do come across as being holy are those who walk the walk and limit the religious talk. He talks of James the Anabaptist as the one person who was a good man, because he walked the walk of religion and lacked the voice. Thus, when it comes to the issue of religious tolerance, it can be said that Voltaire lacks tolerance for those who do not display the actions that coincide with their beliefs.

Answer 2

Not too sure if this helps you, ahh what the heck you've nothin ta lose.

Candide By Voltaire

I have found 10+ summaries for you to look at, via the links below.

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/candide/

http://www.freebooknotes.com/book.php3?id=61

http://www.antistudy.com/search.php?title=Candide+by+Voltaire

http://www.elook.org/literature/voltaire/

http://www.awerty.com/candide2.html

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-50.html

These links will give you a summary of the book, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions. A short extract is included as an example of what you can expect from the summary.

One paragraph plot outline

Candide lived in Westphalia with Cunegonde and was taught by the optimist philosopher Pangloss. However, after he was kicked out of the house after trying to kiss Cunegonde. Candide who is helped by two strangers, left the country and joined the Bulgar Army. After several troubles, he deserts the army and flees to Holland where he met Jacques, an honest merchant. More…….

http://summarycentral.tripod.com/candide.htm

Good luck.

Kevin, Liverpool, England.

Answer 3

I'm with Eb -- except for one thing. Eb says that Voltaire mocks those in the Enlightenment. This is not so. Voltaire was a central figure in the enlightenment. It is the Rationalists (particularly Leibnitz) of the 17th century whom he mocks.

Look up Voltaire in THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PHILOSOPHY -- you should be able to find a copy in the reference section of your school's library.

Answer 4

voltaire doesn't view anything now he is dead.
smart answers aside in candide he mocks the enlightenment view that this is the best of all possible worlds. he is appalled at the realisation that the world is not always ruled by a fair hand which was a common assumption at the time pre-enlightenment.

Answer 5

Try reading a book.

Answer 6

he doesn't - he's dead