Philosophical Dialogues

Voltaire

Newcomb Livraria Press

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A new translation directly from the original French manuscript of Voltaire's 1728 Philosophical Dialogues (original title "Dialogues philosophiques"). 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. Voltaire wrote this during the beginning of the Enlightenment period, which was a time of seismic intellectual and philosophical change in central Europe. Philosophical Dialogues is a collection of theoretical conversations between various historical characters including Eramus, ancient philosophers, Protestant Reformers and Materialist European philosophers, in which they discuss topics such as religion, science, and morality. The work was important because it challenged traditional religious beliefs, contrasting vastly different worldviews and great thinkers, and sparked debate about the role of reason and science in society on top of the massive conflict between Protestantism and Catholicism. These dialogues are fascinating "fake" conversations between ideologies that remain tremendously relevant today.

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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.