Voltaire and the Enlightenment Essay -- Essays Papers

Voltaire and the Enlightenment During the eighteenth century a group of French writers and critics known as the Philosophes favored change and reform. They believed in the power of the human mind, which was an idea that was inspired by the Scientific Revolution. The philosophes had faith in the power of rational criticism to challenge the tradition of the past. They also sought to apply the rules of reason and common sense to nearly all major institutions and social practices. The philosophes proposed a new kind of organized religion, a social religion which encouraged harmony and tolerance while strengthening the bonds of moral obligations within society. One of the major French philosophes during the eighteenth century was Voltaire. He was greatly inspired by the work of Isaac Newton during the Scientific Revolution, who believed there was a close relationship between his scientific theory and religion. Like Newton, Voltaire also theorized about the existence of God. One critic named Victor Hugo wrote, "'To name Voltaire is to characterize the entire Eighteenth Century. Italy had a Renaissance and Germany had Reformation, but France had Voltaire.'"1 Voltaire strongly believed that humans used their reason to make decisions and he also proposed a social religion and speculated about the existence of God which caused people to question their faith and reason. Voltaire, like many other Philosophes, believed in man provided that he was educated and used his reason. However, many people in Voltaire's time were illiterate, superstitious, unreasonable, and relied upon the guidance of the ruler. Voltaire believed in enlightened despotism, which was when the people obeyed the laws and made sure they were fairly enforced by all cla... ... the church and caused many people to question their faith and reason. Voltaire was one of the many philosophes who challenged people's faith and who was a part of the advancements in reason during the Enlightenment. - Frederick Artz, The Enlightenment in France (Oberlin: The Kent State University - Press, 1968), p. 66. - See Frederick Artz, p. 76. - See Frederick Artz, p. 79. - See Frederick Artz, p. 80. - Ronald Boss, "The Development of Social Religion: A Contradiction of French - Free Thought," Journal of the History of Ideas v. 34, no.4 (1973): p. 582. - See Ronald Boss, p. 583. - See Ronald Boss, p. 584. - See Ronald Boss, p. 585. - Rosemary Lauer, The Mind of Voltaire: A Study of his "Constructive Deism" (Westminster: Newman Press, 1961), p.90. - See Rosemary Lauer, p. 91. - See Rosemary Lauer, p. 92. - See Rosemary Lauer, p. 93.