On November 21, 1694, a son was born in the family of an official in Paris. The boy was named Francois-Marie Aruet (literary name - Voltaire). He was educated at the Jesuit College. The whole family wanted a legal career for Voltaire, but he took up literature. Francois preferred satire, however, his addictions were not approved by censorship, because 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 the accuser 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 came through in the aforementioned work were subsequently developed by many in historical and philosophical works.
Francois criticized the feudal order from the standpoint of rationalism. He desired freedom for all people. These thoughts were too bold. Voltaire himself understood this. The basic ideas of freedom came down to being dependent 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. Consider 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. The philosopher opposed such a terrible place to his hero, who has a kind heart and a utopian country, Eldorado, which was a dream and the embodiment of Voltaire's ideals. The work was published illegally, since 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 that Voltaire wrote. The main ideas (briefly, of course) of labor are expressed by the prevailing thoughts of the modern era. A subtle and ironic work, saturated with wit, thanks to the grace of style influenced the further development of European poetry.
“The Story of Karl, King of Sweden”
This masterpiece is written about two outstanding monarchs of Europe (Peter the Great and Karl). Labor 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, labor brought fame to Voltaire.
"Princess of Babylon"
The original work, which was part of the philosopher’s novels. The main idea: a man was born for happiness, but life is hard, therefore, he has to suffer.
Voltaire: basic ideas, briefly about his relationship to God
The philosopher in his work gave a special place to religion. He represented God as the mind to which the laws of nature are subordinate. 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 on its own, without any idea or purpose. He is convinced that the very fact of the human mind proves the existence of God, who has given us the ability to think.
Voltaire's philosophical ideas 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, states that God and matter exist due to the nature of things.
The philosopher in his writings tells us that no school and no reason will make him doubt his faith. That was such a pious Voltaire. The main ideas in the religious sphere came 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 doubted religion, because for him he shared them. 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 who use faith not for good, humane purposes.
In his writings, Voltaire justifies atheism, although he writes that this is destructive to virtue. The philosopher is sure that a society of unbelieving scientists would live happier, guided only by laws and morality, rather than fanatics who are struck by madness.
The reason remains with the atheists, for the fanatics lose it. It was the ability of a person 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 mind-preserving person. “If God did not exist, then it would have to be invented, ” - said Voltaire, 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 literally such. The fact is that the philosopher only partially shares this concept. Voltaire in his writings tries to reflect on the subject of matter and comes to the conclusion about its eternity, which coincides with the views of the materialists, but not all aspects of their teachings, Francois-Marie shares. 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 got its existence from an arbitrary reason.”
Nothing happens out of nothing (Voltaire). The quotes of this person 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) of his judgment on the soul
The philosopher, too, adhered to the views of the materialists. 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 mind is responsible for the body, not the soul, therefore, the latter is mortal. “The ability to feel, remember, fantasize is what they call the soul, ” Voltaire said very interestingly. His quotes are curious, it is worth considering them.
Is the spirit dead
The soul of the philosopher has no material structure. He explained this fact by the fact that we do not think constantly (for example, when we sleep). He did not believe in the transmigration of souls. After all, if this were so, then, moving, the spirit would be able to preserve all the accumulated knowledge, thoughts, but this does not happen. But still, the philosopher insists that the soul is granted to us by God, as well as the body. The first, in his opinion, is mortal (he did not prove it).
Is spirit material
What did Voltaire write on this subject? Thought is not matter, since it does not have properties similar to it, for example, it cannot be divided.
The senses
Sensations for the philosopher are very important. Voltaire writes that we get 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, you need to use several senses, so Voltaire believed. The main ideas of the philosopher were based on the knowledge of what was available to him. Francois studied feelings, ideas, the process of thinking. Many did not even think about these issues. Voltaire is trying not only to explain, but also to understand the essence, the mechanism of the emergence of feelings and thoughts.
Reflections on life, principles and structure of being intrigued Voltaire, forced to deepen their 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 pleasures. The actions of people are led by a routine. Few people are inclined to think about their actions, and even they do it in “special cases”. Many deeds, which seem to be caused by intelligence and education, often turn out to be only instincts for a person. People on a subconscious level tend to enjoy, except for those, of course, who are looking for more sophisticated fun. Voltaire explains all human actions with love for himself. However, Francois does not call for vice, on the contrary, considers virtue a cure for the diseases of conscience. He divides people into two categories:
- Persons 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. Such conclusions were made by Voltaire.
The basic 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 nevertheless puts faith at the forefront, since law is powerless against secret crimes, and conscience can stop them, since it is an invisible guardian, you cannot 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.
