Philosophical Dialogues

Voltaire

May 2024 · The Collected Works of Voltaire Book 15 · Marchen Verlag

About this ebook

Voltaire’s Dialogues philosophiques (1728) is a collection of imaginary conversations in which historical or mythological characters debate fundamental questions of religion, science, and morality. In these dialogues (whose original French title is Dialogues philosophiques), figures such as Desiderius Erasmus, mythic Greek philosophers like Socrates and Protagoras, and even Protestant reformers are presented in conversation. The topics range widely: for example, one dialogue features a heated discussion about the existence of the gods, as the philosopher Protagoras argues that we have no direct knowledge of divinity, while others protest that such skepticism amounts to impiety. Voltaire thus stages intellectual sparring between skeptic and orthodox views, as well as between rationalism and empirical evidence.

This modern Critical Reader’s Edition includes an illuminating afterword tracing Voltaire’s intellectual relationships with Enlightenment thinkers and philosophers (including Locke and Newton), containing unique research into his influences and economic attachments, a comprehensive timeline of his life and works, a glossary of Enlightenment terminology, and a detailed index of all of Voltaire’s writings. This unique professional translation renders Voltaire’s sharp, satirical prose into modern language to preserve the original clarity and movement of the text. Combined with the scholarly amplifying material, this edition is a groundbreaking exploration of Voltaire’s classic works and his enduring artistic and philosophical influence.

Written in the late 1720s, the Philosophical Dialogues were composed during Voltaire’s early mature years, a time when he was beginning to apply the methods of the Enlightenment to literature. The book was printed in 1728 (likely in Amsterdam or another center of free printing, since censorship in Paris was strict) and it predates his more famous works of the 1730s. At the time, the dialogue form allowed Voltaire to discuss controversial issues indirectly; he could raise subversive ideas under the guise of historical debate. Although Dialogues philosophiques never achieved the notoriety of his later satirical pieces, it nonetheless attracted some attention among readers curious about these provocative conversations. The publication was modest and did not immediately spark a scandal, but it signals Voltaire’s shift from pure poetry toward a more argumentative style. In terms of literary context, it follows the tradition of Socratic and Renaissance dialogues, yet it applies that form to the problems of Voltaire’s day – exemplifying the broader trend in 18th-century France of reviving classical forms to address modern Enlightenment themes.

About the author

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.