"The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire."
"Killing is forbidden, so murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets."
Background Francois Marie Arouet was born in Paris 21 November 1694. He was the son of a man who worked in a notary. Francois Marie-Arouet is the man who is known by millions as Voltaire. Voltaire is an anagram of the Latin for his last name and Le Jeune (the younger).Monsieur Arouet, Voltaire's father, wanted Francois to study law, which he did until he decided to pursue a career in literature. His writings were renowned for their wit and for the amount of furore they caused. On numerous occasions his father had to arrange for him to spend some time away from Paris due to his writings. He was controversial, opinionated, stubborn and a thinker. He was a prolific writer and produced works in every literary form known at the time. His book Candide was only one of his many writings that almost resulted in his execution. He was twice imprisoned for his remarks in the Bastille, criticizing French institutions. He also was an outspoken voice for social reform, an end to bigotry, for religious freedom, and even questioning the religious institutions of France, namely the Roman Catholic Church.
Voltaire's philosophy
Questioned Roman Catholic Church's teachings
Outspoken advocate for social reform including:Criticized the French government for the inequal distribution of wealth
an end to bigotry based on race, or religion
an end to the monopoly of power held by the wealthy
More understanding between different people
less power for the Roman Catholic Church's clergy
condemned the use of war and violence for political gain.
Had a reasoned belief of God
Believed reason to be a far more useful asset as opposed to blind faith.
view of Human Nature Voltaire was a man to whom controversy was a constant companion. On his deathbed when asked to renounce Satan he famously said "Now, Now, this is not the time to make new enemies." He also was quoted as saying "the best form of government is democracy tempered with the occaisional assassination." His view of human nature that without education in reason, mankind is naturally animalistic, and hypocritical. Only by education could this nature be reversed, Voltaire believed. He also disliked organized religion because he believed that if someone could make you believe in absurdities, and controlled your beliefs they could make you commit atrocities.
How his beliefs contrasted with those of Catholicism
Catholicism believed in faith and order, Voltaire believed that education was much more important than faith.
Catholicism believed organized religion was man's salvation. Voltaire attacked organized religion , namely the Catholic Church.
Catholicism wanted to control people's beliefs, Voltaire wanted man to use reason to determine their own beliefs.
Voltaire despised the capability of the clergy to control the people's beliefs
Voltaire's principles today:
Writings helped the United States founding fathers decide to separate Church and state.
Writings helped lead to religious tolerance through his advocacy of Social Justice.
Writings of Voltaire basis for the French Revolution's ousting of the Catholic Church's influence in French government
Voltaire's principle of teaching man to reason is seen today in education.
Francois Marie Arouet "Voltaire"
"Prejudices are what fools use for reason."
"The Holy Roman Empire is neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire."
"Killing is forbidden, so murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets."
Background
Francois Marie Arouet was born in Paris 21 November 1694. He was the son of a man who worked in a notary. Francois Marie-Arouet is the man who is known by millions as Voltaire. Voltaire is an anagram of the Latin for his last name and Le Jeune (the younger).Monsieur Arouet, Voltaire's father, wanted Francois to study law, which he did until he decided to pursue a career in literature. His writings were renowned for their wit and for the amount of furore they caused. On numerous occasions his father had to arrange for him to spend some time away from Paris due to his writings. He was controversial, opinionated, stubborn and a thinker. He was a prolific writer and produced works in every literary form known at the time. His book Candide was only one of his many writings that almost resulted in his execution. He was twice imprisoned for his remarks in the Bastille, criticizing French institutions. He also was an outspoken voice for social reform, an end to bigotry, for religious freedom, and even questioning the religious institutions of France, namely the Roman Catholic Church.
Voltaire's philosophy
view of Human Nature
Voltaire was a man to whom controversy was a constant companion. On his deathbed when asked to renounce Satan he famously said "Now, Now, this is not the time to make new enemies." He also was quoted as saying "the best form of government is democracy tempered with the occaisional assassination." His view of human nature that without education in reason, mankind is naturally animalistic, and hypocritical. Only by education could this nature be reversed, Voltaire believed. He also disliked organized religion because he believed that if someone could make you believe in absurdities, and controlled your beliefs they could make you commit atrocities.
How his beliefs contrasted with those of Catholicism
- Catholicism believed in faith and order, Voltaire believed that education was much more important than faith.
- Catholicism believed organized religion was man's salvation. Voltaire attacked organized religion , namely the Catholic Church.
- Catholicism wanted to control people's beliefs, Voltaire wanted man to use reason to determine their own beliefs.
- Voltaire despised the capability of the clergy to control the people's beliefs
Voltaire's principles today: