Voltaire
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Voltaire | |
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| Born | 21 November 1694 |
| Died | 30 May 1778 |
| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | Writer; philosopher; historian |
| Known for | Enlightenment critique; advocacy of civil liberties |
| Notable work | Candide; Letters Concerning the English Nation; Treatise on Tolerance |
Voltaire (1694–1778), born François-Marie Arouet, was a French writer, philosopher, and historian who became one of the most prominent figures of the Enlightenment. He is known for his sharp criticism of dogma, intolerance, and abuse of power, as well as for his defense of civil liberties and intellectual freedom.
Voltaire’s work combined literary wit with philosophical argument, making complex ideas accessible to a broad audience.
Early life and education
Voltaire was born in Paris in 1694. He received a classical education and demonstrated early talent in writing and satire.
His outspoken views and literary style led to repeated conflicts with political and religious authorities, including periods of imprisonment and exile.
Literary career
Voltaire produced a wide range of works, including plays, essays, historical studies, and philosophical fiction. His writings often used irony and satire to expose injustice, superstition, and authoritarianism.
Candide remains one of his most widely read works, using narrative to critique optimism and social convention.
Philosophy and ideas
Voltaire did not construct a systematic philosophical doctrine. Instead, he engaged in critical examination of prevailing beliefs, particularly those related to religion, authority, and tradition.
He supported freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and legal reform, while remaining skeptical of metaphysical speculation.
Religion and tolerance
Voltaire was a vocal critic of religious intolerance and fanaticism. He argued for freedom of belief and opposed the use of religious authority to justify persecution or censorship.
His advocacy of tolerance was a defining aspect of his public identity.
Historical writing
In addition to philosophy and literature, Voltaire wrote historical works that emphasized cultural, intellectual, and social developments rather than purely political events.
This approach reflected his broader interest in human progress and reason.
Later life
Voltaire spent his later years near the Swiss border, where he continued writing and correspondence with intellectual figures across Europe. He returned to Paris shortly before his death in 1778.
Legacy
Voltaire’s influence on Enlightenment thought is substantial. His defense of civil liberties and critique of intolerance contributed to broader movements for legal and social reform.
He remains a central figure in discussions of free expression, secularism, and the role of intellectual critique in public life.