Philosophical views of Voltaire. Philosophical ideas of Voltaire and Rousseau The main views of Voltaire
On November 21, 1694, a son was born in the family of an official in Paris. The boy was named Francois-Marie Arouet (literary name - Voltaire). He was educated at the Jesuit College. The whole family wanted a legal career for Voltaire, but he took up literature. François preferred satire, however, his addictions were not approved by censorship, so he was a frequent guest in prison because of his poems.
Voltaire was freedom-loving, views and ideas were considered bold and daring. He went down in history as a famous philosopher, writer, poet, fighter against obscurantism, fanaticism, and exposer of the Catholic Church.
Voltaire was expelled from France and spent several years in England, where his worldview developed. When he returned to his native land, he wrote "Philosophical Letters", thanks to which he gained fame. Now many knew who Voltaire was. The ideas of enlightenment, which were seen in the above-mentioned work, were subsequently developed by many in historical and philosophical writings.
François criticized the feudal order from the standpoint of rationalism. He wanted freedom for all people. These thoughts were too bold. Voltaire himself understood this. The main ideas of freedom were to depend only on laws, this would be ideal, as the philosopher himself believed. However, he did not recognize equality. Voltaire said that there can be no division into rich and poor, this is unattainable. He considered the republic to be the best form of government.
Voltaire wrote both prose and poetry. Let's take a look at his best creations.
"Candide"
The name translates as "dazzling white". The story is written with bitterness and irony, in it Voltaire reflects on the world of violence, stupidity, prejudice and oppression. To such a terrible place, the philosopher opposed his hero, who has a good heart, and the utopian country - Eldorado, which was a dream and the embodiment of Voltaire's ideals. The work was published illegally, as it was banned in France. This work is a kind of response to the struggle of Europe with the Jesuits. The impetus for its creation was the Lisbon earthquake.
"Orleans Virgin"
This is a poem written by Voltaire. The main ideas (briefly, of course) of the work express the dominant thoughts of the modern era. A subtle and ironic work, saturated with wit, thanks to the elegance of style, influenced the further development of European poetry.
"The Story of Charles, King of Sweden"
This masterpiece is written about two outstanding monarchs of Europe (Peter the Great and Charles). The work describes the struggle between them. The romanticized biography of the commander King Charles, the hero of Poltava, is vividly and colorfully described by Voltaire. A worthy work that touches the depths of the soul. At one time, work brought fame to Voltaire.
"Princess of Babylon"
The original work, which was part of the cycle of the philosopher's stories. The main idea: a person is born for happiness, but life is hard, therefore, he has to suffer.
Voltaire: main ideas, briefly about his relationship to God
The philosopher in his work gave a special place to religion. He represented God as reason, to which the laws of nature are subject. Voltaire does not require proof of the existence of the Almighty. He wrote: "Only a madman can deny the existence of God, the mind itself believes in his presence." It seems unreasonable to the philosopher that the whole world was formed by itself, without any idea or purpose. He is sure that the very fact of the human mind proves the existence of God, who gave us the ability to think.
Philosophical ideas Voltaire regarding religion are very doubtful and contradictory, in them, rather, blind faith than reason. For example, why prove the existence of God if you write that it does not need confirmation? He also notes that the Lord created the earth and matter, and then, apparently confused in his reasoning, he claims that God and matter exist by virtue of the nature of things.
The philosopher in his writings tells that no school and no arguments will make him doubt faith. This is how pious Voltaire was. The main ideas in the religious sphere boiled down to the fact that fanatics are much more dangerous than atheists, since the latter do not inflate "bloody disputes." Voltaire was for faith, but he doubted religion, so he shared them for himself. Atheists, for the most part, are scientists who have gone astray, whose rejection of religion began precisely because of those who are obsessed with it, using faith for non-good, humane purposes.
In his writings, Voltaire justifies atheism, although he writes that it is detrimental to virtue. The philosopher is sure that a society of unbelieving scientists would live happier, guided only by laws and morality, than fanatics who are smitten with madness.
Reason remains with atheists, because fanatics are deprived of it. It was the human ability to think that always stood for Voltaire in the first place. Therefore, the philosopher treats atheism as a lesser evil, while remaining a believer in God, but a person who retains reason. "If God did not exist, then he would have to be invented," Voltaire said so, briefly this statement reveals the position of the philosopher, the whole necessity of faith.
Ideas about the origin of the world
Voltaire's materialism is not such in the literal sense. The fact is that the philosopher only partially shares this concept. Voltaire in his writings tries to reflect on the topic of matter and comes to the conclusion about its eternity, which coincides with the views of materialists, but Francois-Marie does not share all aspects of their teachings. He also does not consider primary matter, since it was created by God, but empty space is necessary for the existence of the Lord.
Voltaire, whose quotes are filled with wisdom ("The world is finite if there is empty space"), further argues as follows: "It means that matter received its existence from an arbitrary cause."
Nothing comes from nothing (Voltaire). This man's quotes make you think. According to the views of the philosopher, matter is inert, therefore it is God who moves it. This thought was another proof of the existence of the Lord.
Voltaire's ideas (briefly) his judgments about the soul
The philosopher adhered to the views of the materialists in these matters as well. Voltaire denied that people consist of two entities - spirit and matter, which are connected with each other only by the will of God. The philosopher believed that the body, not the soul, is responsible for thoughts, therefore, the latter is mortal. "The ability to feel, remember, fantasize - and there is what is called the soul," Voltaire said very interestingly. His quotes are curious, they are worth thinking about.
Is the spirit mortal
The soul of a philosopher has no material structure. He explained this fact by the fact that we do not think constantly (for example, when we sleep). Nor did he believe in the transmigration of souls. After all, if it were so, then, by moving, the spirit would be able to save all the accumulated knowledge, thoughts, but this does not happen. But still, the philosopher insists that the soul is given to us by God, like the body. The first, in his opinion, is mortal (he did not prove this).
Is the spirit material?
What did Voltaire write about this issue? Thought is not matter, since it does not have properties similar to it, for example, it cannot be divided.
Feelings
Feelings are very important for a philosopher. Voltaire writes that we receive knowledge and ideas from the outside world, and it is feelings that help us in this. Man has no innate principles and ideas. For a better understanding of the world, it is required to use several senses, as Voltaire believed. The main ideas of the philosopher were based on the knowledge of what was available to him. François studied feelings, ideas, the process of thinking. Many people don't even think about these questions. Voltaire tries not only to explain, but also to understand the essence, the mechanism of the origin of feelings and thoughts.
Reflections on life, the principles and structure of life intrigued Voltaire, forced him to deepen his knowledge in these areas. The views of this man were very progressive for the time in which he was born. The philosopher believed that life consists of God-given suffering and pleasure. Routine guides people's actions. Few people tend to think about their actions, and even those do it in "special cases." Many actions that seem to be caused by the mind and education often turn out to be only instincts for a person. People on a subconscious level seek pleasure, except, of course, those who are looking for more subtle fun. Voltaire explains all human actions by love for oneself. However, Francois does not call for vice, on the contrary, he considers virtue to be a cure for diseases of conscience. He divides people into two categories:
Personalities in love only with themselves (complete rabble).
Those who sacrifice their own interests for the sake of society.
Man differs from animals in that he uses in life not only instincts, but also morality, pity, law. Such conclusions were drawn by Voltaire.
The main ideas of the philosopher are simple. Mankind cannot live without rules, because without fear of punishment, society would lose its decent appearance and return to primitiveness. The philosopher still puts faith at the forefront, since the law is powerless against secret crimes, and conscience can stop them, since it is an invisible guard, you can’t hide from it. Voltaire always shared the concepts of faith and religion, without the first he could not imagine the existence of mankind as a whole.
FRANCOIS MARIE AROUE VOLTAIRE (1694-1778)
Voltaire Francois Marie Arouet - French philosopher, writer and publicist. One of the representatives of the education of the XVIII century. Born in Paris in the family of a prominent notary. The constant threat of persecution forced Voltaire to live away from Paris and at times leave France. Only in the town of Ferne, located on the very border with Switzerland and being, as it were, no man's land, Voltaire, who settled there in 1758 in the acquired estate, feels calm. This last residence of the world famous writer-philosopher becomes for a time the cultural center of Europe.
From the very beginning, Voltaire's work was saturated and cemented with certain philosophical ideas. As a deist, Voltaire identified God and reason. For him, the existence of God is a fact of reason, not of faith. Therefore, Voltaire does not recognize religious dogmas, divine revelation and providence. He is convinced of the reality of the external world, the view of man as a fundamentally natural being who does not and cannot have any other life than existence in flesh and blood, and which in societies created by people themselves has the right to be happy, for which it is necessary to rebuild social relations on the basis of reason and justice.
Referred to by people who sympathize with the Enlightenment as the "King of Philosophers", and sarcastically called the "oracle of new philosophers" by the enemies of this movement, he already in his early works sought to comprehend life and act in it, guided by philosophical principles.
Philosophically huge in volume (more than 50 plays) and enjoying tremendous success not only in France, but also in many other European countries, the “Voltaire Theater” - the largest playwright of the 18th century. Philosophical is the extensive and multi-genre poetry of Voltaire, the greatest, according to his contemporaries, French poet of his century.
Of paramount importance in the philosophical heritage of Voltaire are treatises and dialogues, which in a holistic form express his understanding of worldview issues.
The main works of Voltaire are "Philosophical Letters" (1733), "Philosophical Dictionary" (1764-1769), "Metaphysical Treatise" (1734), etc.
[PHILOSOPHICAL VIEWS OF VOLTAIRE]
1. “I was an inveterate admirer of Locke: I saw in him the only reasonable metaphysician ....
I was the first to decide to present Newton's discoveries to my people in an understandable language. Cartesian prejudices, which replaced those of the Peripatetics in France, were then very strong ... "
2. “Many thinkers created a novel about the soul - a sage appeared who modestly wrote the history of the soul. Locke unfolded the human mind before people like an excellent anatomist who explains the springs of the human body. He resorts everywhere to the help of the lamp of physics, sometimes he dares to speak in the affirmative, but he has the courage to doubt. Instead of immediately identifying what we do not know, he gradually learns what we want to know. He takes the child at the moment of its birth and follows step by step the progress of his mind: he sees what he has in common with animals and in what he surpasses them; he relies especially on his own testimony, on the awareness of the process of his thinking.
5. “Of course, our first ideas are sensations. Gradually we acquire ideas composed of what irritates our organs; memory retains these sensations. Then we categorize them by common ideas. From this natural faculty which we possess to form and arrange our ideas, all the vast knowledge of man flows."
6. "Trans naturam", for nature. But is there anything beyond nature? Since nature is understood as matter, everything that is not material has become the subject of metaphysics.
For example, your mind, which is neither long nor wide nor high nor dense nor sharp;
Your soul, unknown to you and the cause of your mind;
Spirits, about whom they constantly spoke, to whom for a long time they attributed such a subtle body that it was no longer a body, and from which they finally took away every semblance of a body, not knowing what remains after that;
The way these spirits feel, not constrained by the five senses, the way they think in the absence of a head, the way they convey their thoughts without the help of words and signs;
Finally, God, whom we know through His creations, but whom our pride wants to define; God, whose power we feel is unlimited; God, between whom and us lies the abyss of infinity, and whose nature we are trying to comprehend;
These are the subjects of metaphysics."
10. “Everything is in motion, everything acts and reacts in nature.
Everything is action, death itself is acting. The corpses decompose, turn into plants that feed animals, which in turn serve as food for other animals. What is the principle of this universal action?”
11. “Our planet, no doubt, has experienced transformations, and its shape has changed. Every planet is undergoing change. Since everything is in motion, everything must necessarily change. Only immobility is unshakable, only nature is eternal, but we have appeared recently. We will discover thousands of signs that speak of changes in our globe. These testimonies will tell us that thousands of cities were buried, that rivers disappeared, that on a vast expanse of earth we walk on rubble.
13. “There are two ways to get to the concept of a being that rules the world. For ordinary faculties, the most natural and perfect way is to consider not only the order that exists in the universe, but also the purpose for which each thing appears to exist. Many thick books have been written on this subject, but all these thick books taken together contain only the following argument: “When I see a clock whose hand points to the time, I conclude about an intelligent being who arranged the springs of this mechanism so that the hand indicates the time . That is why, when I see the springs of a human body, I infer that a rational being arranged his organs so as to be received and nourished for nine months in a womb; that eyes are given to see, hands to take, etc.” But from this argument alone, I can deduce nothing else than that, probably, a rational and higher being created and arranged matter with great skill. From this alone I cannot conclude that this being created matter out of nothing and that it is infinite in all respects. In vain will I search my mind for the connections of the following ideas: “Perhaps I am the creation of a being more powerful than myself. Therefore, this being exists from eternity, therefore, it created everything, therefore, it is infinite, etc.” I see no connection that would directly lead me to this conclusion. I see only that there is something more powerful than me, and I see nothing more.
The second argument is more metaphysical and less suitable for the grasp of gross minds. It leads to much more extensive knowledge. Briefly, it is:
“I exist, therefore something exists. If something exists, then something must exist eternally, for what exists exists either by itself or received its existence from another. If it exists by itself, then it is necessary, and it has always been necessary, then it is God. But if it received its existence from another, and this other from a third, then this means that the last from which it received its existence must necessarily be God. After all, you cannot understand that one being gives existence to another being if it does not have the ability to create. Moreover. If you say that a certain thing receives, not to speak of a form, its very existence from another thing, and this one from a third, a third from another, and so on ad infinitum, then you are talking absurdity, because in this case all these beings do not will have no reason for their existence. Taken together, they have no external reason for their existence. Taken separately, they have no intrinsic reason for their existence. Those. taken as a whole, they owe their existence to nothing, and each of them separately does not exist by itself. Therefore, none of them can necessarily exist.
So, I am forced to admit that a certain being exists by itself from eternity and is the cause of all other beings. It follows from this that this being is infinite in time, size and power: who can limit it?
14. “Newton's philosophy, which accepts and proves the eternity of matter and the existence of emptiness, equally convincingly justifies the existence of God.
That is why I look upon the true philosophers as apostles of divinity. Such apostles are needed for all sorts of people. The parish catechism teacher tells the children what God is; Newton proves it to the wise."
15. “What at first seems like a paradox, but on closer examination turns out to be true, is that theology has often directed minds towards atheism, and that at last philosophy has turned them away from it. In truth, people must be forgiven that they once doubted the existence of the Deity, because those who proclaimed him argued about his nature.
16. “It seems to me that the main thing is not in a metaphysical argument, but in announcing whether it is necessary for the common good of people, these unfortunate thinking animals, to accept the existence of a rewarding and punishing God who serves us both as a bridle and a consolation, or to reject this idea, leaving us in adversity without hope, and in the commission of crimes without remorse."
17. “So, faith in God, who rewards good deeds and punishes bad deeds, forgives small offenses, is the most beneficial for the human race. This is the only bridle for powerful people who brazenly commit obvious crimes. This is the only bridle for people who deftly commit secret crimes. I do not tell you, my friends, that superstition must be mixed with this necessary faith, which dishonors it and which might even make it fatal. An atheist is a monster who devours only to satisfy his hunger. The superstitious man is another monster who torments people in the name of duty. I have always noticed that an atheist can be cured, but a superstitious person can never be cured completely. An atheist is a reasonable person who makes mistakes, but who thinks for himself. A superstitious person is a rude fool who always has only thoughts borrowed from other people ... Yes, my friends, atheism and fanaticism are two poles of confusion and horror. A small zone of virtue lies between these two poles. Walk with firm steps along this path. Believe in a good God and be virtuous."
18. “Atheism and fanaticism are two monsters that can devour and tear apart society; but the atheist, even in his error, retains the mind that cuts his claws, and the fanatic is possessed by a constant madness that sharpens his claws.
19. “In metaphysics, we only talk about probabilities. We all sail on a sea whose shores we have never seen. Woe to those who fight each other while sailing. Land on the shore, who can. But the one who shouts to me: “You are sailing in vain, there is no port,” he deprives me of courage and all strength.
What is at stake in our dispute [Voltaire argues with Holbach]? About the consolation of our miserable existence. Who consoles? you or me?
In several places in your work [referring to Holbach's System of Nature] you yourself admit that faith in God has kept some people on the brink of crime: that is enough for me. If this belief has prevented at least a dozen murders, deceptions and unjust sentences, then I believe that the whole earth should accept it.
20. “No society can exist without justice. Let us declare God just.
If the law of the state punishes open crimes, let us proclaim a God who punishes secret crimes.
Let the philosopher be a Spinoza if he wants to, but let the statesman be a deist.
You don't know what God is, how He will punish, how He will reward. But you know that he must be a reasonable sovereign and an honest sovereign; It's enough. Not a single mortal has the right to contradict you, because you are stating a thing that is probable and necessary for the human race.
21. “... Can an atheistic people exist? It seems to me that a distinction must be made between the people proper and the society of philosophers standing above the people. It is quite obvious that in all countries a strong bridle is needed for the mob, and that if only five or six hundred peasants were under Beyle's control, he would not fail to proclaim to them a rewarding and punishing God. But Bayle spoke only of the Epicureans, who were wealthy people who loved peace, cultivating all social virtues, especially friendship, avoiding the difficulties and dangers of public affairs, leading, finally, a comfortable and innocent life. I think that when the question is thus considered in its relation to society and politics, the dispute is over.
27. "It is evident that the Christian religion is the net with which the swindlers have entangled the fools for more than seventeen centuries, and the dagger with which the fanatics have killed their brothers for more than fourteen centuries."
[SOCIO-POLITICAL VIEWS]
32. “All the people who have hitherto been discovered in the wildest and most terrible countries live in societies like beavers, ants, bees and many other animal species.
We have never seen a country where people lived apart, where the male would unite with the female only by chance and leave her the next moment in disgust; where a mother would not recognize her children after she raised them, and where people would live without a family and without any society.
Some bad pranksters have misused their reason to such an extent that they dare to put forward the amazing paradox that man was originally created to live alone, and that society has perverted nature. Will they not also say that the herrings in the seas were originally designed to swim alone, and that it is the height of corruption if they swim in schools? Will they not say again that the cranes used to fly alone, and that it was a violation of natural law for them to decide to travel in flocks?
Every animal has its own instinct. Man's instinct, strengthened by reason, draws him to society, as well as to food and drink. The need for society has not only not corrupted a person, but, on the contrary, it is his removal from society that spoils him. Anyone who lived completely alone would soon lose the ability to think and express himself. He would become a burden to himself. He would go so far as to turn into an animal. An excess of impotent pride, rebelling against the pride of others, can make a melancholic soul flee from people. That's when it gets corrupted. And she punishes herself for it. Her pride is a source of suffering for her. In loneliness and secret annoyance, she torments herself for being despised and forgotten. She puts herself in such a terrible bondage, hoping to be free."
33. “I have received, sir (Voltaire addresses Rousseau), your new book against the human race; thank you for it. You can mourn people to whom you do not tell the truth about themselves, but you will not correct them. It is impossible to describe in stronger colors the horrors of human society, from which our ignorance and our weakness hope to receive so much consolation. More intelligence has never been used to inspire in us the desire to become animals; I want to walk on all fours, reading your work. However, for more than sixty years now I have lost this habit, and I feel that, unfortunately, it is impossible for me to return to it; I leave this natural mode of transportation to those who are more worthy of it than you and I ”(Voltaire - Rousseau, August 30, 1755).
34. "... On our unfortunate planet it is impossible that people, living in society, were not divided into two classes: the rich, who command, and the poor, who serve them."
35. “All peasants will not be rich, and they do not need to be rich. We need people who have only hands and good will. Bypassed by fate, they will participate in the good of others. They will be free to sell their labor to the highest bidder. This freedom will replace their property. They will be supported by a strong confidence in a fair wage. They will happily engage their families in their hard but rewarding work.”
36. “The English nation is the only one in the world that has succeeded in limiting the power of kings by resisting them, and which, after long efforts, has finally established this wise government, where the sovereign is omnipotent if he wants to do good, but whose hands are tied if he plots evil; where the nobles are majestic without impudence and vassals, and where the people participate in government without causing confusion.
37. “They did not believe that sovereigns owed something to philosophers. However, it is true that this philosophical spirit, which embraced all states except the common people, did much to inspire respect for the rights of sovereigns. Quarrels that once led to excommunications, interdicts, splits, now do not cause them. If it is said that peoples would be happy if they had philosopher-kings, then it is also true that princes would be even happier if they had a significant number of philosopher-subjects.
38. “Superstition is the worst enemy of the human race. When it rules over the sovereign, it prevents him from doing good for his people; when it rules over the people, it raises him against the sovereign.
There was not a single case on earth when philosophers opposed the laws of the sovereign. There will not be a century in which superstition and religious enthusiasm would not be the cause of turmoil that inspires horror.
39. “The greatest happiness for the sovereign and for the state is that there are many philosophers who imprint these maxims in the minds of people.
Philosophers, having no private interest, can only speak in favor of reason and the public interest. Philosophers always serve the sovereign, destroying superstition, which is the enemy of monarchs.
40. “Just as the greatest physical evil is death, so the greatest moral evil is, of course, war. It entails all crimes, robberies, devastations, all kinds of death.”
41. “A new generation is growing up that hates bigotry. The day will come when philosophers will take the lead. The kingdom of reason is being prepared" (Voltaire - d'Alembert, March 1, 1764).
42. “Everything I see sows the seeds of a revolution that will inevitably happen and that I will not live to see the pleasure of seeing. The French are always late, but in the end they still reach the goal. The light gradually spread so much that it will shine at the first opportunity. Then there will be a fair amount of confusion. Young people are truly happy: they will see beautiful things ”(Voltaire - Chauvelin, April 2, 1764).
Voltaire, first of all, is famous for his literary works. Most of his work was published underground - the philosopher was subjected to public criticism all his life for his progressive views. In plays and pamphlets, the philosopher criticized the church and promoted the need for freedom and enlightenment. The philosophy of Voltaire influenced the development of the socio-political system in France and throughout Western Europe.
Biography of the philosopher
There are many contradictory and scandalous facts in the biography of Voltaire. The philosopher abandoned his real name François-Marie Arouet and signed with an invented pseudonym. Born in Paris, in the family of a wealthy official and having received a good education in a Jesuit college, against the will of his parents, he abandoned his career as a lawyer. His first work was the composition of satirical rhymes, which caused discontent among the aristocracy. For his work, the thinker twice ended up in the Bastille.
After leaving prison, the future public figure moved to England. There, the philosopher studied the humanities and worked on his first book. Voltaire drew up his impressions of England in a collection of writings "Philosophical Letters" and published it immediately upon his return home. For this work, he was again sentenced to imprisonment in the Bastille, but he managed to escape to Lorraine. There, the man met the Marquise du Chatelet, with whom he lived for 15 years. From Lorraine, he has to flee to the Netherlands to avoid a new prison term for being accused of mocking religion.
Having become a court poet, the man quickly made new enemies among the local nobility and moved to Prussia, but he could not take root there either, and soon moved to Switzerland, where he bought an estate where he lived until the end of his days. In addition to an impressive number of enemies, he also made powerful friends. He was patronized by supporters of education, which included monarchs. Thanks to their patronage, including financial, the man became one of the wealthiest Frenchmen. At the age of 83, the man returned to Paris.
Soon, the thinker began to be disturbed by severe pains and he had to be examined by different doctors, but their final diagnosis was categorical - prostate cancer. In search of a way to extend his life for at least a few months, the thinker joined the Nine Sisters, a French Masonic lodge. But after 2 months, the man still died.
Key Ideas
Voltaire's main idea was expressed in his attitude towards obscurantism and religious fanaticism. An irreconcilable fighter against the power of the church, he wanted to rid society of religious delusions. The Thinker criticized faith, but not the believers themselves. The thinker was a supporter of enlightenment, he stood up for freedom for all people, regardless of their origin.
The thinker denied religion, but believed in God. He considered the surrounding world itself as proof of its existence, which could not appear on its own, which means that it has a creator and this creator is God. But he is not the way he is described in the books.
According to Voltaire, God:
- omnipotent,
- endless;
- indifferent.
Along with religion, the philosopher also denied atheism. But he treated atheists with much more sympathy than adherents of religion. Atheists retain the ability to reason - the main feature that separates people from animals. And fanatics, obsessed with their religion, lose the ability to think and become like wild beasts.
Philosophy
The philosophical views of Voltaire were based on the teachings of Locke. He shared his empirical approach, but had a negative attitude towards materialism. The question of the immortality of the soul and the need for free will remained open for the philosopher.
He published his philosophical notes in the collection "Pocket philosophical dictionary". In this work, he criticized religion and church morality. Voltaire considered the church as a criminal organization that takes away from a person his natural right to freedom. He praised scientific achievements, behind which he saw the future.
The best way to develop society
The thinker was an opponent of social equality. The thinker believed that in a developed society there should be a division of people into educated and wealthy and those who should work for their benefit. Workers should not be educated, otherwise they will destroy the very foundation of society, and this will lead to chaos.
Being an adherent of the old order, in his works Voltaire praises aristocracy and monarchism. The thinker glorifies the French nobility, endowing the nobles and nobles with noble features. He depicts people of non-noble origin reluctantly and assigns them the role of negative satirical characters.
Attitude towards faith and religion
Voltaire was a merciless critic of religion. In his books, the thinker, with the help of logic, proved the absurdity and inconsistency of the religious worldview. The philosopher touched upon Christianity and Judaism, condemned the church, clericalism and the power of ignorance. At the same time, the thinker described the personality of Jesus with great respect, not denying the existence of God, but refusing to honor him in accordance with Christian traditions.
The philosopher spoke in defense of scientists accused by the church. He preached the ideas of religious tolerance - in the 18th century, this term meant not acceptance, but contempt. In his plays and pamphlets, Voltaire ridiculed Catholicism. Positive characters in his works were people who deny religion, seeking to eradicate it. Christianity was especially hard hit - Voltaire considered Christian myths an invention created to control people. In the poem "For and Against" he considers the main idea of Christianity - love for a merciful God. Voltaire convincingly argues that this idea is the main deception on which religion is built. If you read the Bible with an open mind, you can easily see how cruel God's actions are towards people. The Creator is not a loving father, but a cruel tyrant, whom it is unworthy to honor.
Speaking against the church, the philosopher also criticizes atheism. Confessing deism, he claims that God exists and that he created the universe. But gradually his views changed. Publicly, Voltaire remains faithful to the idea of a divine creation, but he himself increasingly doubts the existence of any higher powers. In frank conversations with like-minded thinkers, the thinker agrees that there is no God.
Voltaire argues that faith in God is necessary for society. Without external control, people will not be able to resist mutual extermination. God acts as a judge and deterrent, and in this sense, faith does not harm, but helps to preserve the human race.
Another side of religion that Voltaire considered destructive is monastic asceticism. According to the thinker, the rejection of simple joys in the form of delicious food and fun pastime is a big stupidity. He took an optimistic approach to life: everything is fine, or will definitely be good in the future.
Literary works
Voltaire wrote both poetry and prose. He started out as the author of satirical rhymes, in which he ridiculed prominent public figures and familiar aristocrats. Because of his evil humor, the writer often ended up in prison, participated in duels and constantly received threats. But his dramatic works brought him fame:
- Candide. In this work, Voltaire described the ideal, in his opinion, country - El Dorado. It is opposed to the evil, stupid and cruel world, in the description of which everyone recognized modern Europe. The story was banned from publication in France, and was published illegally during Voltaire's lifetime.
- Orleans virgin. In this poem, Voltaire ridicules the values of the feudal world, briefly examines all the negative aspects of the socio-political system, bringing the heroic poem to a farce.
- History of Charles, King of Sweden. This work tells about Peter the Great and Charles - two European monarchs, and their confrontation. Since the publication of this work, Voltaire's popularity as a writer began.
- Princess of Babylon. It is a cycle of works. In them, the philosopher considers the main issues human being. According to Voltaire, the destiny of a person is happiness, but life's difficulties overshadow it, so a person is forced to suffer.
Voltaire also wrote heroic works. The drama in his performance evolved, his characters were sentimental, romantic and acted atypically for representatives of their era.
Views on politics
Among the philosophers there were few adherents of the monarchical system, but Voltaire undoubtedly belonged to them. The philosopher opposed absolutism. He advocated enlightenment, the need for education for a separate part of society, which is represented by philosophers and the intelligentsia.
The right monarch, who is able to take care of his subjects and create a decent life for them, must also be an enlightened person. The philosopher often described his ideal of a ruler in his works. The rulers in his poems were the luminaries leading a wild country to civilization.
Voltaire was extremely negative about the idea of social equality and democracy as the power of the people. In his opinion, unenlightened workers cannot know what should be a good life and they certainly need a firm ruling hand to guide them. He saw the kingdom as one large structure ruled by one monarch. Those who are against monarchism are actually against the development of mankind.
In a situation where a cruel and stupid person is in power, the subjects themselves are to blame. Voltaire denied the divine nature of the ruler and the fact that God blesses him on the throne. The king is the same person, and other people can either bring him to the throne or remove him. As a ruler, the philosopher dreamed of seeing modern man oriented towards development and creation.
Voltaire was in correspondence with several monarchs whose political views impressed him. Among them was Catherine the Great. After the death of the philosopher, she bought his library for a huge amount - 30,000 gold rubles. Together with the books, Catherine hoped to receive letters, but they remained in France and were soon published.
Human rights activities
Voltaire often spoke in defense of people whom the church, in his opinion, unjustly condemned. After the execution of Jean Calas, the philosopher organized a campaign to reconsider the case and cancel the sentence. Kalas was sentenced to death for the murder of his son, but there was no direct evidence of his guilt. As a result, the court relented and acquitted Calas posthumously, and also acquitted all those involved in this case.
However, some believed that the philosopher simply used this case to once again express his hatred of the church and draw public attention to the imperfections of the judicial system.
Voltaire: basic ideas. Philosophical ideas of Voltaire On November 21, 1694, a son was born in the family of an official in Paris. The boy was named Francois-Marie Arouet (literary name - Voltaire). He was educated at the Jesuit College. The whole family wanted a legal career for Voltaire, but he took up literature. François preferred satire, however, his addictions were not approved by censorship, so he was a frequent guest in prison because of his poems. Voltaire was freedom-loving, views and ideas were considered bold and daring. He went down in history as a famous philosopher, writer, poet, fighter against obscurantism, fanaticism, and exposer of the Catholic Church. Voltaire was expelled from France and spent several years in England, where his worldview developed. When he returned to his native land, he wrote "Philosophical Letters", thanks to which he gained fame. Now many knew who Voltaire was. The ideas of enlightenment, which were seen in the above-mentioned work, were subsequently developed by many in historical and philosophical works. François criticized the feudal order from the standpoint of rationalism. He wanted freedom for all people. These thoughts were too bold. Voltaire himself understood this. The main ideas of freedom were to depend only on laws, this would be ideal, as the philosopher himself believed. However, he did not recognize equality. Voltaire said that there can be no division into rich and poor, this is unattainable. He considered the republic to be the best form of government. Voltaire wrote both prose and poetry. Let's take a look at his best creations. "Candide" The name is translated as "dazzling white." The story is written with bitterness and irony, in it Voltaire reflects on the world of violence, stupidity, prejudice and oppression. To such a terrible place, the philosopher opposed his hero, who has a good heart, and the utopian country - Eldorado, which was a dream and the embodiment of Voltaire's ideals. The work was published illegally, as it was banned in France. This work is a kind of response to the struggle of Europe with the Jesuits. The impetus for its creation was the Lisbon earthquake. The Virgin of Orleans This is a poem written by Voltaire. The main ideas (briefly, of course) of the work express the dominant thoughts of the modern era. A subtle and ironic work, saturated with wit, thanks to the elegance of style, influenced the further development of European poetry. "History of Charles, King of Sweden" This masterpiece is written about two outstanding monarchs of Europe (Peter the Great and Charles). The work describes the struggle between them. The romanticized biography of the commander King Charles, the hero of Poltava, is vividly and colorfully described by Voltaire. A worthy work that touches the depths of the soul. At one time, work brought fame to Voltaire. "The Princess of Babylon" An original work that was part of the cycle of the philosopher's stories. The main idea: a person is born for happiness, but life is hard, therefore, he has to suffer. Voltaire: main ideas, briefly about his attitude to God The philosopher in his work gave a special place to religion. He represented God as reason, to which the laws of nature are subject. Voltaire does not require proof of the existence of the Almighty. He wrote: "Only a madman can deny the existence of God, reason itself believes in his presence." It seems unreasonable to the philosopher that the whole world was formed by itself, without any idea or purpose. He is sure that the very fact of the human mind proves the existence of God, who gave us the ability to think. Philosophical ideas of Voltaire regarding religion are very doubtful and contradictory; they are rather blind faith than reason. For example, why prove the existence of God if you write that it does not need confirmation? He also notes that the Lord created the earth and matter, and then, apparently confused in his reasoning, he claims that God and matter exist by virtue of the nature of things. The philosopher in his writings tells that no school and no arguments will make him doubt faith. This is how pious Voltaire was. The main ideas in the religious sphere boiled down to the fact that fanatics are much more dangerous than atheists, since the latter do not inflate "bloody disputes." Voltaire was for faith, but he doubted religion, so he shared them for himself. Atheists, for the most part, are scientists who have gone astray, whose rejection of religion began precisely because of those who are obsessed with it, using faith for non-good, humane purposes. In his writings, Voltaire justifies atheism, although he writes that it is detrimental to virtue. The philosopher is sure that a society of unbelieving scientists would live happier, guided only by laws and morality, than fanatics who are smitten with madness. Reason remains with atheists, because fanatics are deprived of it. It was the human ability to think that always stood for Voltaire in the first place. Therefore, the philosopher treats atheism as a lesser evil, while remaining a believer in God, but a person who retains reason. “If God did not exist, then he would have to be invented,” Voltaire said so, briefly this statement reveals the position of the philosopher, the whole necessity of faith. Ideas about the origin of the world Voltaire's materialism is not such in the literal sense. The fact is that the philosopher only partially shares this concept. Voltaire in his writings tries to reflect on the topic of matter and comes to the conclusion about its eternity, which coincides with the views of materialists, but Francois-Marie does not share all aspects of their teachings. He also does not consider primary matter, since it was created by God, but empty space is necessary for the existence of the Lord. Voltaire, whose quotes are filled with wisdom (“The world is finite if there is empty space”), further argues as follows: “So matter received its existence from an arbitrary cause.” Nothing comes from nothing (Voltaire). This man's quotes make you think. According to the views of the philosopher, matter is inert, therefore it is God who moves it. This thought was another proof of the existence of the Lord. Voltaire's ideas (briefly) his judgments about the soul The philosopher adhered to the views of materialists in these matters as well. Voltaire denied that people consist of two entities - spirit and matter, which are connected with each other only by the will of God. The philosopher believed that the body, not the soul, is responsible for thoughts, therefore, the latter is mortal. “The ability to feel, remember, fantasize - that is what is called the soul,” Voltaire said very interestingly. His quotes are curious, they are worth thinking about. Is the spirit mortal The philosopher's soul has no material structure. He explained this fact by the fact that we do not think constantly (for example, when we sleep). Nor did he believe in the transmigration of souls. After all, if it were so, then, by moving, the spirit would be able to save all the accumulated knowledge, thoughts, but this does not happen. But still, the philosopher insists that the soul is given to us by God, like the body. The first, in his opinion, is mortal (he did not prove this). Is the spirit material What did Voltaire write on this issue? Thought is not matter, since it does not have properties similar to it, for example, it cannot be divided. Feelings Feelings are very important for a philosopher. Voltaire writes that we receive knowledge and ideas from the outside world, and it is feelings that help us in this. Man has no innate principles and ideas. For a better understanding of the world, it is required to use several senses, as Voltaire believed. The main ideas of the philosopher were based on the knowledge of what was available to him. François studied feelings, ideas, the process of thinking. Many people don't even think about these questions. Voltaire tries not only to explain, but also to understand the essence, the mechanism of the origin of feelings and thoughts. Reflections on life, the principles and structure of life intrigued Voltaire, forced him to deepen his knowledge in these areas. The views of this man were very progressive for the time in which he was born. The philosopher believed that life consists of God-given suffering and pleasure. Routine guides people's actions. Few people tend to think about their actions, and even those do it in "special cases." Many actions that seem to be caused by the mind and education often turn out to be only instincts for a person. People on a subconscious level seek pleasure, except, of course, those who are looking for more subtle fun. Voltaire explains all human actions by love for oneself. However, Francois does not call for vice, on the contrary, he considers virtue to be a cure for diseases of conscience. He divides people into two categories: - Personalities who are in love only with themselves (complete rabble). - Those who sacrifice their own interests for the sake of society. Man differs from animals in that he uses in life not only instincts, but also morality, pity, law. Such conclusions were drawn by Voltaire. The main ideas of the philosopher are simple. Mankind cannot live without rules, because without fear of punishment, society would lose its decent appearance and return to primitiveness. The philosopher still puts faith at the forefront, since the law is powerless against secret crimes, and conscience can stop them, since it is an invisible guard, you can’t hide from it. Voltaire always shared the concepts of faith and religion, without the first he could not imagine the existence of mankind as a whole. Thoughts on Governance Sometimes the laws are not perfect, and the ruler does not live up to expectations and does not carry out the will of the people. Then the society is to blame, because it allowed it. Worshiping God in the form of a monarch, Voltaire considered stupid, which was very bold for that time. The philosopher said that the creation of the Lord cannot be revered equally with the creator. That's what Voltaire was. The main ideas of this man undoubtedly influenced the development of society.
François-Marie Arouet Voltaire, Arue Jr., is known in the history of philosophy as one of the most fundamental figures of the 18th century, and was also famous as a poet and satirist, prose writer, tragedian and publicist. This gifted man was born on November 21, 1694, in the family of an official.
He received his education in a good Jesuit college, where he was first taught all the intricacies of jurisprudence, but young Arue became interested in the Latin language, so he focused his preferences on journalism and writing skills.
He began his writing career with satirical texts. He often visited the homes of aristocrats, but did not want to hold back his tongue at all, so he somehow ended up in the Bastille for a satirical text to the family of one of his patrons (everything happens in life - and friendly ties are torn).
Voltaire himself was a very attractive person, as the portraits made during the life of the master show us, but he had a very unbearable character: notes of vanity, satire, self-interest were intertwined in him, which dictated directly to his views in which area they should move.
After many incidents in France, the disliked aristocracy persistently asked Voltaire to leave and leave his native city - in fact, this was a link - after which Arue comes to England and gets acquainted with the philosopher John Locke, Newton, other deists, their philosophical views and texts.
The ideas of enlightened absolutism, which were actively put forward by representatives of the enlightenment, together with Voltaire, found a response in many countries, including Russia. As you know, Voltaire was in active correspondence with the Russian Empress Catherine II, since the French lifestyle and fashion were very popular in Russia at that time, so even philosophy took root in the highest circles, but Voltaire's ideas were very peculiar.
The philosopher defended the ideas of freedom from enslavement, smashed serfdom to smithereens, which could not please the nobility. In addition, the whole philosophy of Voltaire was permeated with notes of religious tolerance and compliance with criminal laws, which, in his opinion, should have characterized a person as an element of society. Despite the fact that the character of Voltaire has always been the cause of clashes, the very philosophy and views that were formed by scientists later were hostile against arbitrariness. famous quote Voltaire “I do not agree and will not agree with a single word of yours, but I am ready to die for your right to say this” shows how zealously and titanicly this figure defended the legal basis for the freedom of every person. Many of the ideas of Voltaire, just like other enlighteners of the 18th century, formed the basis of the Great French Revolution, because they were built on the main layers of freedom of speech, democracy and equality of all rights of every person. Of course, such thoughts and unrest were objectionable to the government. Which they could cause, so it cannot be said that life was honey for Voltaire and his associates. Voltaire died at the age of 83 from an unknown disease that caused him such severe pain that he had to take large quantities of opium, but even before the threshold of death, Voltaire worked hard, did not lose his grip - Voltaire's last conversation, you can even to say a dispute with his nephew, Abbé Monnier about renouncing Satan and accepting the faith of the Lord - they allowed the lasting image of Voltaire to remain in the memory of future generations as a famous and strong man, as well as an excellent writer and philosopher.
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