About this ebook
A new translation directly from the original French manuscript of Voltaire's 1777 The Dialogues of Euhemerus (Les Dialogues d'Evhémère). 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. Published in 1777, Les Dialogues d'Evhémère is a rare philosophical dialogue by Voltaire. The work is a kind of philosophical testament, as Voltaire was 83 years old at the time and knew he was nearing the end of his life. It is written in the tradition of the Socratic dialogue, in which the interlocutors seek the truth together, like many of Voltaire's works. The dialogues survey Voltaire's life of thought. Euhemerus, who has seen the follies, delusions and misery of humanity, is effectively Voltaire's mouthpiece. Many of the dialogues deal with the paradox of the goodness of God and the "wretchedness" of the Earth- the subject of Theodicy. Euhemerus, Voltaire's moniker, draws his hope from the progress of science, which points to a future world based on rationality.
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.
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