ideas of the French Enlightenment lay in the moral regeneration of society, which was to rise to rebellion.Were outstanding educator Charles Montesquieu and Voltaire, and later Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Diderot.
ideas of Montesquieu and Voltaire were not the same on the issues of state and society.However, they have become fundamental in the development of a new society.The basic idea of Voltaire's different from the views of other members of the era.
Brief Biography Born
Voltaire (at birth given the name of Francois-Marie Arouet) in Paris (Kingdom) November 21, 1694.His mother was the daughter of the Secretary of the criminal court.His father worked as a notary and the tax collector.Voltaire did not take his father's profession as him, so in 1744 he even declared himself illegitimate son of a poor musketeer, composed poems.
In his youth, he studied at the Jesuit college, then began to study law.Over time, the young man tired to obey his father, he began to find his way in life.Since 1718, he signed the pseudonym Voltaire, which is an anagram of his full name with the note "younger."
During training satire poet several times sat in the Bastille.The first time was in 1717.The reason for his arrest was abusive satire against the Duke of Orleans, who was regent of France.
During the life of Voltaire again and again faced with the threat of arrest.He was forced to leave France.Philosopher for his way he lived in England, Prussia, Switzerland.By 1776 he became the richest man in France, which gave him the opportunity to create their own "autonomous principalities" in the estate of Ferney.
from his estate Voltaire, whose political views were monarchist, corresponded with many famous people of the time.They included heads of states:
- King of Prussia - Frederick 2.
- Empress of Russia - Catherine 2.
- King of Poland - Stanislaw August Poniatowski.
- King of Sweden - Gustav 3.
- King of Denmark - Christian 7.
At the age of 83 well-known educator returned to Paris, where he soon died.His remains are kept in the crypt of the national outstanding people - Pantheon.
philosophical ideas of Voltaire
briefly about the philosophy of Voltaire can say this - he was a supporter of empiricism.In some of his writings, he advocated the teaching of the English philosopher Locke.He was an opponent of the French materialist school.
his major philosophical article he published in the "Pocket Dictionary of Philosophy."In this work he opposed idealism and religion.Voltaire relied on the scientific knowledge of his time.
basic views regarding the person of Voltaire reduced to the fact that everyone should have natural rights:
- freedom;
- security;
- equality;
- property.
However, natural rights should be protected by positive laws because "the people are angry."However, many laws of this kind philosopher admitted unfair.
social-philosophical views
basic idea of Voltaire in the social outlook is reduced to the necessity of inequality in society.In his opinion, it should consist of rich, educated and those who are obliged to work for them.He believed that the working people to what degree, as their arguments can ruin everything.
Voltaire was a supporter of enlightened absolutism.Until the end of his life he was a monarchist.According to him, the monarch must be based on the enlightened part of society in the face of intellectuals and philosophers.
basic ideas about faith
basic idea of Voltaire the existence of God comes down to the fact that he is a kind of engineer who invented, created and continues to harmonize the system of the universe.
Voltaire argued against atheism.He believed that: "If God did not exist, it should have been invented."This is a reasonable supreme being presented as eternal and necessary.However, the philosopher takes the position that you need to prove the existence of God is not through faith, but through a reasonable investigation.
This is due to the fact that faith is not being able to open it.It is built on superstition and many contradictory things.The only truth in this aspect is the worship of God and his commandments.According to Voltaire, atheism, theism as contrary to deism its absurdity.
Political and legal views of Voltaire
great philosopher did not leave behind a special labor policy and law.However, the political and legal views of Voltaire deserve special attention.All his thoughts on the state of law, the law placed in different works.
In prose meets the critical attitude of the author, who mocks and denies the ideological foundations of the feudal society.The works are imbued with the spirit of freedom, tolerance and humanism.
Main views
cause of all social evils philosopher considered the dominance of ignorance, superstition and prejudice, which suppresses the mind.All of this came from the Church and Catholicism.That is why in his art educator struggling with priests, religious persecution and bigotry.
Last, plant a church, kills the freedom of conscience and expression.And it is a life-giving beginning any freedom.At the same Voltaire did not reject the existence of God and the need for religion.
basic idea Voltaire was not democratic.Education was not designed for ordinary workers.Philosopher did not consider people of physical labor, so his idea, he did not take them into account.Furthermore, most of all he was afraid of the people.In this, Voltaire and his political ideas different from other members of the time.
equality of men he knew only in political and legal terms.All people should be citizens who depend on the equal rights laws and protected by them.At the same time, he believed that a person's position in society should depend on whether it has assets.For example, the right to vote with respect to the public good should be only the owners, but not all ordinary people.
The lawsuit Voltaire advocated a fair trial, which will involve lawyers.Torture, he did not accept and wanted to discard them.
In terms of polity philosopher, was a supporter of absolute monarchy with an enlightened ruler headed.However, he also liked to practice a system of government in England.Constitutional monarchy and the presence of the two parties who are able to follow one another, revered Voltaire.
as an ideology, not a thinker has created its own political theory.However, the legal views of Voltaire paved the way for the further development of political and legal doctrines.Voltaire's ideas to a greater or lesser extent penetrated the views of all of the French Enlightenment.
Advocacy
already mentioned that Voltaire did not respect the work of his father.However, it is still linked their lives with a legal case in the years 1760-1770.So, in 1762, he spent the company to cancel the death sentence that has been imposed Protestant Jean Calas.He was accused of killing his own son.Voltaire was able to achieve an acquittal.
other victims of political and religious persecution, which protects the educator were Sirven, the Comte de Lally, the Chevalier de La Barre.Political and legal views of Voltaire is to fight with the Church and its prejudices.
-writer Voltaire
Literature Voltaire sympathetic aristocratic 18th century.He is known for his philosophical novel, dramatic works, poetry.The peculiarity of his works in simple and accessible language, aphoristic, satire.
literature was for the author is not an end in itself, but a means.With her, he promoted his ideas, protesting against the clerics and autocracy, preaching tolerance and civil liberties.
Drama
Throughout life the author has written 28 classic tragedies, including the most isolated "Oedipus", "Zaire", "Caesar", "Chinese orphans" and others.He has long struggled with the advent of the new drama, but in the end he began to mix together the tragic and the comic.
Under the pressure of the new bourgeois life political and legal views of Voltaire has changed with respect to the theater, he opened the door to all drama classes.He realized that it is easier for people to suggest their ideas with the help of characters from the lower classes.The author brought to the stage a gardener, a soldier, a simple girl, speech and problems which are closer to society.They made a strong impression and achieve the target by the author.These bourgeois plays include "Nanin," "waster", "right to the lord."
Library Voltaire
After the death of the philosopher interested in his library Ekaterina 2, with whom he corresponded.Russian Empress entrusted the matter to his agent, who discussed everything with the heirs of Voltaire.In this transaction was to include personal letters and Catherine, however, they were bought by Beaumarchais.He published them, with some amendments, and passes the request of the Empress.
The library was taken on the ship in 1779.It includes 6814 books and 37 manuscripts.Initially it housed in the Hermitage.During the reign of Nicholas 1, access to the library was closed.It is known that Pushkin worked with her on the special order of the king, when he wrote "The History of Peter".
In 1861, Alexander 2 ordered the transfer of all the available material in the Imperial Public Library in St. Petersburg.
Books contain many personal notes of Voltaire.They constitute a separate subject of study.Voltaire, whose political views, like all of life, is still attracting many philosophers, writers, political scientists and historians, was a very interesting person.The interest in his person and work continues to exist.
