Voltaire

Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, was a highly contentious and controversial Enlightenment philosopher, writer, and social critic who is widely regarded as one of the most important figures of the Enlightenment period. His work as a rhetorician until his death in 1778 were characterized by a sharp wit, a keen sense of humor with heavy emphasis on satire, and a deep skepticism towards established institutions such as the Church and the monarchy.

Voltaire's life was marred by controversy and exile. Imprisoned twice for his satirical writings criticizing the Church, he spent many years living in various parts of Europe, especially in England, where he developed a deep admiration for the country's political and legal systems, going so far as to state the way the country traded stocks was a certain kind of religion. This did not make him popular in France, of course, but it highlighted a certain degree of criticism he was famous for.

One of Voltaire's famous works is his satirical novella Candide, which was published in 1759. The story follows the adventures of a young man named Candide, who is taught by his mentor, Pangloss. Pangloss was a stout believer in optimism, believing our world is the best of all worlds and went according to God's plan. Candide's journey takes him across Europe and South America, where he witnesses countless acts of brutality, cruelty, and injustice. Along the way, he discovers the limitations of Pangloss's optimistic philosophy and comes to understand the importance of reason and critical thinking, and that, tragically, comes to the conclusion that optimism had no bearing in the real world.

Candide was one among many revolutionary works that challenged the prevailing beliefs and values of Voltaire's time. Through his witty and irreverent satire, Voltaire criticized religious intolerance, political corruption, and the unjust social hierarchies that existed in Europe and the Americas. The main idea is supported when Candide and his cohorts come across an old Turk who tells them it's better to cultivate his garden than to worry about the next Mufti killed or impaled, which is the power behind the whole work.

Because of works like Candide, Voltaire's work is a vital piece of history and conversation today, which marks him as one of the most important rhetoricians who've ever lived.