Voltaire's main works. The main idea of ​​Voltaire and his philosophical and political views

The ideas of the French Enlightenment were the moral regeneration of society, which had to rise up to revolt. Outstanding educators were Charles Montesquieu and Voltaire, and later Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Denis Diderot.

The ideas of Montesquieu and Voltaire were not the same regarding issues of state and society. However, they became fundamental in the development of the new society. Voltaire's basic idea differed from the views of other representatives of the era.

Brief biography

Voltaire was born (at birth he was given the name François-Marie Arouet) in Paris (Kingdom of France) on November 21, 1694. His mother was the daughter of a criminal court secretary. His father worked as a notary and tax collector. Voltaire did not accept his father’s profession, nor did he himself, so in 1744 he even declared himself the illegitimate son of a poor musketeer who wrote poetry.

In his youth he attended a Jesuit college, after which he began to study law. Over time, the young man got tired of obeying his father, he began to look for his own path in life. Since 1718, he has signed his pseudonym Voltaire, which is an anagram of his full name with the prefix “junior.”

During his studies in satire, the poet sat in the Bastille several times. The first time this happened was in 1717. The reason for the arrest was offensive satire against the Duke of Orleans, who was the regent of France.

During his life, Voltaire more than once faced the threat of arrest. He was forced to leave France. The philosopher lived in England, Prussia, and Switzerland throughout his journey. By 1776, he had become the richest man in France, which gave him the opportunity to create his own “patrimonial principality” on the Ferney estate.

From his estate, Voltaire, whose political views were monarchical, corresponded with many famous people of that time. These included heads of state:

• King of Prussia - Frederick II.
• Empress of Russia - Catherine 2.
• King of Poland - Stanislaw August Poniatowski.
• King of Sweden - Gustav III.
• King of Denmark – Christian 7.

At the age of 83, the famous educator returned to Paris, where he soon died. His remains are kept in the national tomb for outstanding people - the Pantheon.

Voltaire's philosophical ideas

Briefly about Voltaire’s philosophy, we can say this: he was a supporter of empiricism. In some of his works he propagated the teachings of the English philosopher Locke. At the same time, he was an opponent of the French materialist school.

He published his most important philosophical articles in the Pocket Philosophical Dictionary. In this work he spoke out against idealism and religion. Voltaire relied on the scientific knowledge of his time.

Voltaire's main views regarding man are that everyone should have natural rights:

• freedom;
• safety;
• equality;
• own.

However, natural rights must be protected by positive laws because “men are evil.” At the same time, the philosopher recognized many laws of this kind as unjust.

Social and philosophical views

Voltaire's main idea in his social view boils down to the need for inequality in society. In his opinion, it should consist of the rich, educated and those who are obliged to work for them. He believed that working people had no need for education, since their reasoning could ruin everything.

Voltaire was a supporter of enlightened absolutism. Until the end of his life he was a monarchist. In his opinion, the monarch should rely on the enlightened part of society in the person of the intelligentsia and philosophers.

Basic Ideas about Faith

Voltaire's main idea regarding the existence of God comes down to the fact that he is a kind of engineer who invented, created and continues to harmonize the system of the universe.

Voltaire opposed atheism. He believed that: “If God did not exist, he would have to be invented.” This rational supreme being appears as eternal and necessary. However, the philosopher took the position that it was necessary to prove the existence of God not through faith, but through reasonable research.

This is explained by the fact that faith is not capable of revealing his existence. It is built on superstitions and many contradictory things. The only truth in this aspect is the worship of God and his commandments. According to Voltaire, atheism, like theism, contradicts deism with its absurdity.

Voltaire's political and legal views

The great philosopher did not leave behind special works on politics and jurisprudence. However, Voltaire's political and legal views deserve special attention. All his thoughts about the state, law, law are posted in various works.

Basic views

The philosopher believed that the cause of all social evils was the dominance of ignorance, superstitions and prejudices that suppressed reason. All this came from the Church and Catholicism. That is why in his work the educator fights against clergy, religious persecution and fanaticism.

The latter, implanted by the Church, kills freedom of conscience and speech. And this is the life-giving beginning of any freedom. At the same time, Voltaire did not reject the existence of God and the need for religion.

Voltaire's basic idea was not democratic. Enlightenment was not intended for ordinary workers. The philosopher did not respect people of physical labor, so he did not take them into account in his idea. Moreover, most of all he feared democracy. In this, Voltaire and his political ideas differed from other representatives of that time.

He understood the equality of people only in the political and legal sense. All people should be citizens who are equally dependent on and protected by the laws. At the same time, he believed that a person’s position in society should depend on whether he has property. For example, only property owners should have the right to vote regarding the public good, and not all ordinary people.

In the court case, Voltaire argued for a fair trial in which lawyers would participate. He did not recognize the torture and wanted it to be abolished.

In terms of government, the philosopher was a supporter of an absolute monarchy with an enlightened ruler at its head. However, he also liked the practical system of government in England. The constitutional monarchy and the presence of two parties that are able to monitor one another were revered by Voltaire.

As an ideologist, the thinker did not create his own political theory. However, Voltaire's legal views paved the way for the further development of political and legal doctrines. Voltaire's ideas, to a greater or lesser extent, penetrated the views of all French enlighteners.

Human rights activities

It has already been mentioned that Voltaire did not respect the work of his father. However, he still connected his life with legal work in the years 1760-1770. So, in 1762, he led a campaign to overturn the death sentence that was imposed on the Protestant Jean Calas. He was accused of killing his own son. Voltaire was able to achieve an acquittal.

Other victims of political and religious persecution, whom the enlightener defended, were Sirven, Comte de Lally, Chevalier de La Barre. Voltaire's political and legal views consisted of the fight against the Church and its prejudices.

Voltaire the writer

In literature, Voltaire sympathized with the aristocratic 18th century. He is known for his philosophical stories, dramatic works, and poetry. The peculiarity of his works is the simplicity and accessibility of the language, aphorism, and satire.

Drama

Over the course of his life, the author wrote 28 classic tragedies, among which “Oedipus”, “Zaire”, “Caesar”, “The Chinese Orphan” and others are most often highlighted. For a long time he struggled with the emergence of a new drama, but in the end he himself began to mix together the tragic and the comic.

Under the pressure of the new bourgeois life, Voltaire's political and legal views regarding the theater changed, he opened the doors of drama to all classes. He realized that it was easier to inspire people with their thoughts with the help of heroes from the lower classes. The author brought onto the stage a gardener, a soldier, a simple girl, whose speeches and problems are closer to society. They made a stronger impression and achieved the goal set by the author. Such bourgeois plays include “Nanina”, “The Spendthrift”, “The Right of the Seigneur”.

Voltaire Library

After the death of the philosopher, Catherine 2 became interested in his library, with whom he corresponded. The Russian Empress entrusted this matter to her agent, who discussed everything with Voltaire's heirs. This deal was supposed to include Catherine’s personal letters, but they were purchased by Beaumarchais. He published them with some amendments and omissions at the request of the Empress.

The library itself was delivered by ship in 1779. It included 6814 books and 37 manuscripts. At first it was placed in the Hermitage. During the reign of Nicholas 1, access to the library was closed. It is known that A.S. Pushkin worked with her by special order of the Tsar when he wrote “The History of Peter”.

In 1861, Alexander 2 ordered the transfer of all available material to the Imperial Public Library in St. Petersburg.

François-Marie Arouet Voltaire, Arouet the younger, 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 at 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.

He began his writing career with satirical texts. He often visited the houses of aristocrats, but did not want to hold his tongue at all, so he somehow ended up in the Bastille for writing a satirical text to the family of one of his patrons (anything can happen in life - and friendly ties are broken).

Voltaire himself was a very attractive person, as portraits made during the master’s lifetime show us, but he had a very intolerable character: notes of vanity, satire, and greed were intertwined in him, which directly dictated to his views what area they should move into.

After many incidents in France, the disliked aristocracy persistently asked Voltaire to leave and leave his hometown - in fact, this was an exile - after which Arouet came to England and met 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 maintained an 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 original.

The philosopher defended the ideas of freedom from enslavement and smashed serfdom to smithereens, which the nobility could not like. In addition, Voltaire’s entire philosophy was permeated with notes of religious tolerance and compliance with criminal laws, which, in his opinion, should have characterized man as an element of society. Despite the fact that Voltaire’s character was always the cause of clashes, the very philosophy and views that the scientist formed later were hostile to arbitrariness. Voltaire’s famous quote “I do not agree and will not agree with a single word you say, but I am ready to die for your right to say it” shows how zealously and titanically this figure defended the legal basis for the freedom of every person. Many of Voltaire’s ideas, just like those of 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, the government did not like such thoughts and worries. Which they could cause, so it cannot be said that life was honey for Voltaire and his like-minded people. Voltaire died at the age of 83 from an unknown illness that caused him such severe pain that he had to take opium in large quantities, but even before the threshold of death, Voltaire worked hard and did not lose his grip - Voltaire’s last conversation, one might even say to say a dispute with his nephew, Abbot Monier about the renunciation of Satan and the acceptance of the Lord's faith - allowed us to leave in the memory of subsequent generations the persistent image of Voltaire as a famous and strong man, as well as an excellent writer and philosopher.

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Voltaire: basic ideas. Philosophical ideas of Voltaire On November 21, 1694, a son was born into the family of an official in Paris. The boy was named Francois-Marie Arouet (literary name - Voltaire). He received his education at a Jesuit college. The whole family wanted a legal career for Voltaire, but he took up literature. Francois preferred satire, however, his preferences were not approved by censorship, so he was a frequent guest in prison because of his poems. Voltaire was a freedom-loving man; his views and ideas were considered bold and daring. He went down in history as a famous philosopher, writer, poet, fighter against obscurantism, fanaticism, and denouncer 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 that were evident in the above-mentioned work were subsequently developed by many in historical and philosophical works. Francois criticized the feudal order from the position of rationalism. He wanted freedom for all people. These thoughts were too bold. Voltaire himself understood this. The main ideas of freedom boiled down to depending only on laws; this would be ideal, as the philosopher himself believed. However, he did not recognize equality. Voltaire said that there cannot but be a division into rich and poor; it is unattainable. He considered a republic to be the best form of government. Voltaire wrote both prose and poetry. Let's look at his best creations. "Candide" The name translates as "dazzling white." The story is written with bitterness and irony, in which Voltaire reflects on the world of violence, stupidity, prejudice and oppression. The philosopher contrasted such a terrible place with his hero, who has a kind heart, and a utopian country - Eldorado, which represented the dream and embodiment of Voltaire’s ideals. The work was published illegally, since it was prohibited 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, imbued with wit, thanks to the elegance of its style, influenced the further development of European poetry. “The 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, the work brought fame to Voltaire. “The Princess of Babylon” An original work that was part of a cycle of stories by the philosopher. The main idea: a person is born for happiness, but life is hard, therefore he has to suffer. Voltaire: basic ideas, briefly about his attitude towards God The philosopher paid a special place to religion in his work. He represented God as a mind 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 a philosopher that the whole world formed on its own, without any idea or purpose. He is confident that the very fact of human reason proves the existence of God, who gave us the ability to think. Voltaire's philosophical ideas regarding religion are very dubious and contradictory, they are more likely based on 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 God created the earth and matter, and then, apparently confused in his reasoning, claims that God and matter exist due to the nature of things. The philosopher in his writings tells that no school and no arguments will make him doubt his faith. That's how pious Voltaire was. The main ideas in the religious sphere were that fanatics are much more dangerous than atheists, since the latter do not stir up “bloody disputes.” Voltaire was for faith, but doubted religion, so he separated 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 and use faith not for good, humane purposes. In his writings, Voltaire justifies atheism, although he writes that it is detrimental to virtue. The philosopher is confident that a society of unbelieving scientists would live happier, guided only by laws and morals, than fanatics who are stricken with madness. Reason remains with atheists, because fanatics lose it. It was the human ability to think that always came first for Voltaire. Therefore, the philosopher treats atheism as a lesser evil, while remaining a believer in God, but preserving his reason. “If God did not exist, then he would have to be invented,” Voltaire said; this statement briefly 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. In his works, Voltaire tries to reflect on the topic of matter and comes to the conclusion about its eternity, which coincides with the views of materialists, however, Francois-Marie does not share all aspects of their teachings. He also does not consider matter to be primary, 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 empty space exists”), further argues as follows: “Then matter received its existence from an arbitrary cause.” Nothing comes from nothing (Voltaire). Quotes from this man make you think. According to 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. Voltaire denied that people consist of two essences - 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 is what is called the soul,” Voltaire said very interestingly. His quotes are interesting and 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). He also did not believe in the transmigration of souls. After all, if this were so, then, when migrating, the spirit would be able to preserve all the accumulated knowledge and thoughts, but this does not happen. But still, the philosopher insists that the soul is given to us by God, just 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 our feelings that help us in this. Man has no innate principles or ideas. To better understand the world, you need to use several senses, as Voltaire believed. The philosopher's main ideas were based on knowledge of what was available to him. Francois studied feelings, ideas, and the thinking process. Many have not even thought 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, principles and the structure of existence intrigued Voltaire and 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. People's actions are governed by routine. Few people are inclined to think about their actions, and even those do it in “special cases.” Many actions that seem to be caused by intelligence and education often turn out to be only instincts for a person. People on a subconscious level strive for pleasure, except, of course, for 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 a cure for diseases of conscience. He divides people into two categories: - Individuals 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, and law. Voltaire made these conclusions. The philosopher's main ideas are simple. Humanity cannot live without rules, because without the 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; one cannot hide from it. Voltaire always shared the concepts of faith and religion; without the first, he could not imagine the existence of humanity as a whole. Thoughts on government It happens that the laws are imperfect, and the ruler does not live up to expectations and does not fulfill the will of the people. Then society is to blame, because it allowed this to happen. Voltaire considered the veneration of God in the form of a monarch to be stupid, which was very bold for that time. The philosopher said that the creation of the Lord cannot be revered equally with the creator. This is how Voltaire was. The basic ideas of this man undoubtedly influenced the development of society.

Voltaire's significance lay in the fact that he was undoubtedly the main representative of the Enlightenment philosophy of the 18th century, the first leader in the mental movement that characterized the era of that time. This is how his contemporaries looked at him, this is how supporters of the enlightenment movement and his enemies assessed his significance, and, finally, this is how modern historical science looks at his personality. “We think,” his biographer Morley pompously expresses, “that Voltairianism in France has to some extent the same importance as Catholicism, the Renaissance and Calvinism,” since “it is one of the foundations on which the mental liberation of the new generation is based.” .

Seated Voltaire. Sculpture by J. A. Houdon, 1781

Of course, in the history of philosophy, as a special branch of knowledge, where the names of Plato and Aristotle, Bacon and Descartes, Spinoza and Kant, etc. shine, the name of Voltaire is barely mentioned - he did not have the significance of an original philosopher, but was only a brilliant literary popularizer ideas expressed by others before him. Likewise, Voltaire did not make any discoveries in the field of natural science, in the history of which his name cannot stand next to the names Copernicus, Galilee, Newton etc. In the history of political teachings, finally, he cannot be compared with his contemporaries - Montesquieu, Rousseau, Mably, physiocrats. In general, the significance of Voltaire does not seem to us particularly great if we take the point of view of any special branch of knowledge, not excluding, perhaps, the point of view of fine literature, in which, despite all his talent, he did not act as a major reformer, not paved new paths. As a representative of the so-called classicism (or false classicism) Voltaire did not play such an important role as in his time Boileau, Corneille and Racine. But, standing on general point of view of cultural history, we can say that none of Voltaire’s contemporaries, who played leading roles in the history of philosophy, science and literature, did not express in his activities so fully and so comprehensively the spirit of the XVIII c., like Voltaire.

His long life (1694 - 1778) - and he became a writer early and did not abandon literary activity until the end of his days - covers almost the entire period from the end of the reign of Louis XIV to the eve of the great French Revolution. The mass of what he wrote, barely fitting into dozens of volumes (Baudouin’s edition, published in 1824–1834, contains about a hundred volumes, and other publications consist of 70, 75, etc. volumes), testifies to the extraordinary the energy of Voltaire's mind, and the enormous success of his writings indicates the influence that he had on society for decades. The extreme diversity of his literary activity is explained by his wide encyclopedism.

Voltaire influenced society in many ways and by a wide variety of means, as he acted in literature as a poet and novelist, philosopher and popularizer of natural history, moralist and publicist, literary critic and historian, leaving behind a great many odes, poems, tragedies, novels, stories , serious treatises, magazine articles, polemical pamphlets, historical works, etc. And all of this was marked by Voltaire not only with the stamp of the original processing of ideological material, which he found in books, but also with inexhaustible personal creativity, not only with the stamp of a broad mind, but also extraordinary literary talent. Moreover, this was a fighting nature that did not endure any tyranny, and the blows that fell from Voltaire’s pen on the enemies of the new “enlightenment” movement were especially targeted and strong, and therefore especially terrible.

True, in the personal character and moral qualities of the “king of the philosophers of the Enlightenment” there were very significant shortcomings, which very often lowered his importance and were poorly in harmony with his remarkable mind. Voltaire, like all the “enlighteners,” set the main goal of his activity as the emancipation of the human mind, the personal dignity of man, his right to freedom from tyranny. All in all, Voltairianism was nothing more than rationalism, found brilliant embodiment in the genius of an individual. However, the results of the implementation of Enlightenment and Voltairean ideas after the revolution of 1789 sharply contradicted the verbal goals that the philosophy of the 18th century wrote on its banners. In France, they led not to emancipation, but to many times greater suppression of man, not to freedom, but to tyranny unheard of in national history, not to respect for personal human dignity, but to mocking humiliation by gangs of rapists and terrorists.

Voltaire's importance was also manifested in his strong influence on other writers of the 18th century who were younger than him. Rousseau, for example, himself says that the first book that forced him to work seriously and aroused in him a desire for mental work was Voltaire’s “English Letters,” and that Voltaire’s correspondence with the Crown Prince of Prussia inspired him with the desire to develop for himself the same style as Voltaire. And here is what the enlightener Diderot, who was also much younger than the Ferney philosopher, wrote: “If I call him the greatest man that nature has ever produced, there will be people who will agree with me; but if I say that nature has never produced and, probably, will never again produce such an extraordinary man, then only his enemies will contradict me.”

This is how his like-minded enlighteners assessed the significance of Voltaire. To today's objective view, at a balanced distance from the events and ideological disputes of that time, the activities of this great man seem much more contradictory and ambiguous.

Voltaire, first of all, is famous for his literary works. Most of his work was published underground - the philosopher was subject to public criticism all his life for his progressive views. In his plays and pamphlets, the philosopher criticized the church and promoted the need for freedom and enlightenment. Voltaire's philosophy influenced the development of the socio-political system in France and throughout Western Europe.

Biography of the philosopher

Voltaire's biography contains many contradictory and scandalous facts. The philosopher abandoned his real name, François-Marie Arouet, and signed with an invented pseudonym. Born in Paris, into the family of a wealthy official and having received a good education at a Jesuit college, he, against the wishes of his parents, abandoned his career as a lawyer. His first work was the composition of satirical poems, which displeased the aristocracy. For his work, the thinker ended up in the Bastille twice.

After leaving captivity, the future public figure moved to England. There, the philosopher studied the humanities and worked on his first book. Voltaire compiled his impressions of England into a collection of essays, Philosophical Letters, and published it immediately upon returning 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 sentence for charges of mockery of religion.

Having become a court poet, the man quickly made new enemies among the local nobility and moved to Prussia, but he could not settle down there either, and soon moved to Switzerland, where he bought an estate in which he lived until the end of his days. In addition to an impressive number of enemies, he also made influential friends. He was patronized by supporters of enlightenment, which included royalty. 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 bothered by severe pain 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 by 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 errors. The thinker criticized faith, but not the believers themselves. The thinker was a supporter of enlightenment and advocated freedom for all people, regardless of their origin.

The thinker denied religion, but believed in God. He considered the surrounding world itself to be 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 as he is described in the books.

According to Voltaire, God:

• omnipotent,
• infinite;
• indifferent.

Along with religion, the philosopher also rejected atheism. But he treated atheists with much greater sympathy than adherents of religion. Atheists retain the ability of sanity - the main feature that separates people from animals. And fanatics, obsessed with their religion, lose the ability to think and become like wild animals.

Philosophy

Voltaire's philosophical views 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 viewed the church as a criminal organization that robs a person of his natural right to freedom. He praised scientific achievements, for 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 remain a division of people into the educated and wealthy and those who should work for their benefit. Workers cannot be educated, otherwise they will destroy the very foundation of society, and this will lead to chaos.

Being a supporter of the old order, Voltaire praises aristocracy and monarchism in his works. The thinker glorifies the French nobility, endowing the landowners and nobility with noble traits. He portrays people of non-noble origin reluctantly and assigns them the roles of negative satirical characters.

Attitude to faith and religion

Voltaire was a merciless critic of religion. In his books, the thinker used logic to prove 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 ideas of religious tolerance - in the 18th century this term meant not acceptance, but contempt. In his plays and pamphlets, Voltaire ridiculed Catholicism. The positive characters in his works were people who denied religion and sought to eradicate it. Christianity was especially hard hit - Voltaire considered Christian myths to be fiction created to control people. In the poem "Pros and Cons" he examines 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.

While speaking out against the church, the philosopher also criticizes atheism. Professing deism, he claims that God exists and that he created the universe. But gradually his views changed. Publicly, Voltaire remained faithful to the idea of ​​a divine creation, but he himself increasingly doubted the existence of any higher powers. In frank conversations with like-minded people, 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 restrain themselves from mutual destruction. God acts as a judge and a restraining factor, and in this sense, faith does not harm, but helps preserve the human race.

Another side of religion that Voltaire considered destructive was monastic asceticism. According to the thinker, refusing simple joys in the form of delicious food and fun pastime is great stupidity. He took an optimistic approach to life: everything is fine, or will definitely be fine in the future.

Literary works

Voltaire wrote both poetry and prose. He began as the author of satirical poems, in which he ridiculed prominent public figures and familiar aristocrats. Because of his evil humor, the writer often found himself in prison, participated in duels and constantly received threats. But his dramatic works brought him fame:

1. Candide. In this work, Voltaire described the ideal country, in his opinion, Eldorado. It is contrasted with the evil, stupid and cruel world, in the description of which everyone recognized modern Europe. The story was banned for publication in France, and during Voltaire's lifetime it was published illegally.
2. Virgin of Orleans. 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.
3. The story of Charles, King of Sweden. This work tells the story of Peter the Great and Charles, two European monarchs, and their confrontation. Since the publication of this work, Voltaire's popularity as a writer began.
4. Princess of Babylon. It is a cycle of works. In them, the philosopher examines the basic issues of human existence. According to Voltaire, man's destiny is happiness, but life's difficulties overshadow it, so man 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 for enlightenment, the need for education for a separate part of society, which is represented by philosophers and intelligentsia.

A proper monarch, capable of taking care of his subjects and creating 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 savage country to civilization.

Voltaire had an extremely negative attitude towards the idea of ​​social equality and democracy as the power of the people. In his opinion, unenlightened workers cannot know what a good life should be and they definitely need a strong ruling hand that can guide them. He saw the kingdom as one large structure ruled by a single monarch. Those who are against monarchism are actually against the development of humanity.

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. In the role of a ruler, the philosopher dreamed of seeing a modern man, tuned to development and creation.

Voltaire corresponded with several monarchs whose political views appealed to him. Among them was Catherine the Great. After the death of the philosopher, she bought his library for a huge sum - 30,000 gold rubles. Catherine hoped to receive letters along with the books, but they remained in France and were soon published.

Human rights activities

Voltaire often spoke out in defense of people whom the church, in his opinion, had unfairly condemned. After the execution of Jean Calas, the philosopher organized a campaign to reconsider the case and overturn 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 Kalas posthumously, and also acquitted everyone involved in the 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.