Elements of Newton's Philosophy

Voltaire

Newcomb Livraria Press

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A new translation directly from the original French manuscript of Voltaire's 1738 Elements of Newton's Philosophy. This edition also contains supplemental material on Voltaire including an afterword by the translator, a timeline of Voltaire's life and works, summaries of each of the works in his corpus, and a glossary of Philosophic Terminology used by Voltaire. This was an attempt by Voltaire to popularize the ideas of Isaac Newton in France while he lived in England in exile. Along with Rousseau's help, this helped establish Newtonian physics as the dominant scientific paradigm in France, and helped to inspire a new wave of scientific inquiry and innovation. The work also challenged traditional religious views, and argued for the importance of Materialistic reasoning and Cartesian systematic observation in understanding the natural world.

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Voltaire (1694-1778), born François-Marie Arouet, was a towering figure in the European Enlightenment, renowned for his wit, satirical genius, and fierce advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, Voltaire was educated by the Jesuits at the Collège Louis-le-Grand, where he demonstrated an early talent in literature and theater. Despite a brief stint studying law, he devoted himself to writing, rapidly gaining fame for his sharp wit and eloquence. Voltaire's literary career was marked by numerous conflicts with French authorities, leading to periods of imprisonment and exile. His most famous stay at the Bastille prison was due to his satirical verse, which mocked the French Regent. This propensity for critique often saw him in conflict with the establishment, but it also earned him a reputation as a champion of the oppressed and a critic of religious and political dogma, including the Atheistic dogmatism of the French Revolution.