One of the ways to conceive the era of the seventeenth century, or the Age of Enlightenment, is to view it as the philosophical and intellectual struggle between personal freedom and governmental control. While it is certainly true that no one definition embodies the spirit of the time, the name "Enlightenment" clearly conveys the way the age was conceived by those living in it, and later historical evaluations of the era similarly convey this term as being accurate (Cranston 12-13).
In a sense, then, Europeans were sensing that they were living in a new age--an age in which the past was termed a time of barbarism and intellectual and philosophical darkness. There was a new sense of progress, and an idea that all things were discoverable through the intellect using the tools of science and philosophy (Strauss and Cropsey). Similarly, the Enlightenment changed the ideas about natural law and natural rights. With this came a greater spirit of individualism, and the idea that all things were possible (Palmer and Colton 302-49).
This paper will concentrate on one singular aspect of Enlightenment thought, that of Francois Voltaire. After a brief introduction to his life and thought, the paper will turn toward Voltaire's conception of history, which was an integral part of his philosophical thought. Then, Voltaire's most famous work, Candide, will be discussed as a satirical criticism of society. Finally, the paper will conclude with an assessment of Voltaire to the modern world, and attempt to place Candide in its proper historical perspective.
Voltaire's real name was Francois-Marie Arouet. He was born in 1694 in Paris. His mother died when he was seven, and a few years later he was sent to a Parisian Jesuit College. Voltaire remained at the Jesuit school for seven years, and received a classical education, principally in Latin. He was also taught French literature and composition, history, and mathematics, but no sc...