Philosophical Dictionary

Voltaire

xan. de 1986 · Newcomb Livraria Press

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A new translation directly from the original French manuscript of Voltaire's 1767 Philosophical Dictionary. 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 work by Voltaire was a collection of satirical essays and aphorisms that covered a wide range of philosophical and social topics encouraging people to think for themselves. The work was important because it challenged traditional religious and philosophical beliefs, and argued for the importance of reason and individual liberty in society. The 18th century Enlightenment had a mania for creating ultimate dictionaries- Rousseau, Diderot and others created their own.. The one Voltaire christened Dictionnaire philosophique portatif in 1764 was a particular kind of dictionary: polemic replaced objectivity, dialogue supplanted definition, philosophy mingled with criticism of religions and fanaticism. True to form, Voltaire combines his incredible erudition with a healthy dose of humor, satire and irony to make his fight against the "Infâme" effective and enjoyable.

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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.