Voltaire: main ideas. Philosophical ideas of Voltaire

The Twenty-first of November 1694 in Paris to a family of official son was born. The boy called françois-Marie Arouet (pen name Voltaire). He received his education at the Jesuit College. The whole family wished for Voltaire's legal career, but he was engaged in literature. Francois prefer satire, however, his addiction is not approved by the censor, because he was a frequent visitor in prison because of his poems.

Freedom was Voltaire, views and ideas were considered bold and daring. In the story he entered like the famous philosopher, writer, poet, fighter against obscurantism, fanaticism, the accuser of the Catholic Church.

Voltaire was expelled from France and spent several years in England, where he formed his worldview. When he returned to his native land, wrote “Philosophical letters”, and thus gained popularity. Now many knew who Voltaire. The ideas of the enlightenment, which was apparent in the aforementioned work was subsequently developed by many in historical and philosophical writings.

The Feudal system Francois was criticized from the position of rationalism. He wanted freedom for all people. Those thoughts were bold. It is understood and Voltaire himself. The basic ideas of freedom were reduced to depend only on laws, it would be perfect, he considered himself a philosopher. However, he did not recognize equality. Voltaire said that can not be divided into rich and poor, it is not achievable. The best form of government he considered the Republic.

Voltaire wrote as prose and poetry. Consider his best creation.

“candid”

The Name translates as “dazzling white”. The story is written with bitterness and irony, it is Voltaire thinks about the world of violence, stupidity, prejudice, and oppression. Such a terrible place philosopher opposed his protagonist, who has a good heart, and country-utopia - El Dorado, she was a dream and the ideals of Voltaire. Published work illegal, as in France it was forbidden. This work is a kind of response to Europe's struggle with the Jesuits. The impetus for its creation was the Lisbon earthquake.

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“virgin of Orleans”

This poem, written by Voltaire. Main ideas (briefly, of course) have trouble expressing the dominant thought of the epoch of New time. Subtle and ironic work, imbued with wit, with grace of style influenced the further development of the poetry of Europe

“the Story of Charles, king of Sweden»

This masterpiece is written on two outstanding monarchs of Europe (Peter the Great and Charles). The work describes the struggle between them. Romanticized biography of the commander of king Charles, the hero of Poltava, bright and vividly described by Voltaire. A worthy piece that touches the depths of your soul. At the time, the work has brought fame to Voltaire.

“the Princess of Babylon”

Original work, which was part of the series of novels of the philosopher. Main idea: man is born for happiness, but life is hard, because he has to suffer.

Voltaire: the main ideas briefly about his relationship to God

The Philosopher in his works paid special place of religion. God he represented as the mind, which are subject to the laws of nature. Voltaire does not require proof of the existence of God. He wrote: “Only a madman can deny the existence of God, the mind believes his presence”. The philosopher seem unreasonable that the whole world was formed by itself, without some idea or goal. He was sure that the fact that the human mind proves the existence of God, who has given us the ability to think.

The Philosophical ideas of Voltaire on religion is very questionable and contradictory, they are rather blind faith than reason. For example, what to 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 got confused in his argument, claims that God and matter exist because of the nature of things.

The Philosopher in his writings tells us that no school and no arguments will not cause him to doubt the faith. That was a devout Voltaire. The main ideas in the religious sphere was to ensure that the fanatics far more dangerous than atheists, because the latter is inflated by “bloody disputes”. Voltaire was for the faith, but doubted in religion because it is for themselves they shared. Atheists, for the most part, wayward scientists, rejection of religion, which started just for those who are crazy about her, uses the faith in a good, humane purposes.

In his writings, Voltaire justifies atheism, though, and writes that it is detrimental to virtue. The philosopher is sure that the society of the unbelieving scientists would live more happily guided only by laws and morality, rather than the fanatics that are stricken with madness.

The Mind is the atheists, for the fanatics lose it. It is the human ability to think has always stood for Voltaire in the first place. Therefore, to atheism philosopher applies as the lesser evil, while remaining a believer in God, but keeping the mind of a person. “If there were no God, thenhe would have to invent it” - so said Voltaire, a brief statement reveals the position of the philosopher, the need for faith.

Ideas about the origin of the world

The Materialism of Voltaire is not in the literal sense. The fact that the philosopher only partly shares this concept. Voltaire in his writings tries to reflect on the topic matter, and finds its eternity, which coincides with the views of the materialists, but not all, aspects of their teachings Francois-Marie shares. Primary matter he also does not believe, as it is created by God, but the empty space necessary for the existence of God.

Voltaire, quotes are filled with wisdom (“the World is finite, if there is empty space"), further argues as follows: “So the matter got its existence from arbitrary reasons”.

From nothing nothing comes (Voltaire). Quotes this man allowed to think. According to the views of the philosopher, matter is inert, because it is God who moves it. This idea was further proof of the existence of God.

The ideas of Voltaire (briefly) his judgment on the soul

Philosopher and in these matters adhered to the views of the materialists. Voltaire denied that humans consist of two entities of spirit and matter, which are connected to each other only by the will of God. The philosopher believed that the mind meets the body, not the soul, therefore, the last mortal. “the Ability to feel, to remember, to dream - is what is called soul" - very interesting said Voltaire. Quotes its kinda over them is worth considering.

Death does the spirit

The Soul of the philosopher has no material structure. This fact, he explained that we can't imagine constantly (e.g., when sleeping). Neither did he believe in the transmigration of souls. After all, if this were so, then, moving, spirit was able to preserve all the accumulated knowledge, thoughts, and this is not happening. But the philosopher insists that the soul given to us by God, as the body. First, in his opinion, the death (to prove he did not).

Material whether the spirit

As wrote Voltaire on this issue? The idea - no matter, as she does not have her similar properties, for example, it cannot be split.

Feelings

Feeling for the philosopher very important. Voltaire writes that the knowledge and ideas we receive from the outside world, and help us in this sense. Man has no innate principles and ideas. For a better understanding of the world is required to use multiple senses, so thought Voltaire. The main ideas of the philosopher was based on the knowledge that he was available. Francois studied feelings, ideas, thinking process. Many do not even think about these issues. Voltaire is trying not only to explain but also to understand the nature of the mechanism of the origin of feelings and thoughts.

Reflections on life, principles and structure of existence intrigued Voltaire, forced to deepen their knowledge in these areas. The views of this man was very progressive for the time in which he was born. The philosopher believed that life is about God suffering and of pleasure. The actions of the people are guided by routine. To reflect on their actions tend to a few, and they do this in “special events”. Many acts which seem to be caused by intelligence and education, often only by instinct for humans. People subconsciously seek pleasure, except those of course who are looking for more sophisticated fun. All of man's Voltaire explains the love for yourself. However, the defect Francois calls, in contrast, believes virtue to cure diseases of conscience. He divides people into two categories:

- Personality, love only yourself (full mob).

- Those who sacrifice their own interests for the sake of society.

Man is different from animals in that he enjoys in life, it is not only instincts, but also morality, compassion and law. Such conclusions were made by Voltaire.

The Main ideas of the philosopher simple. Mankind cannot live without rules, because without the fear of punishment, society would have lost a decent view and returned to the primitive. Faith philosopher still puts in the forefront, because the right is powerless against secret crimes, and conscience can stop them, because it is the invisible guardian, and it shall not escape. Voltaire had always shared the concept of faith and religion, without first he had no idea of the existence of humanity as a whole.

Thoughts on the Board

It so Happens that the laws are imperfect, and the ruler does not meet expectations and does not perform the will of the people. Then I blame society, because it is allowed. Worship of God in the image of the monarch Voltaire felt stupid, what was for that time very courageous. The philosopher said that it is not the creation of the Lord may be honored equally with the Creator.

And so was Voltaire. The main ideas of this man has undoubtedly influenced the development of society.