On November 21, 1694, the husband of an aristocratic wife, as well as the fourth son of François d’Arouet and Marie-Marguerite D’Aumard, François-Marie d’Arouet, was born. Otherwise known as Voltaire, this world-renowned French philosopher, along with many other titles, such as poet, dramatist, literary critic, and activist, contributed to the major advancement of philosophy during the Enlightenment period. In his early life, “the d’Arouet family was representative of elite society in France during the reign of Louis XIV”, allowing him to receive an upper-class education at Jesuit Collège Louis-le-Grand in Paris after the passing of his mother (Shank 2).
Growing up, he was notorious for his wit and skepticism, therefore undoubtedly exhibiting these qualities in his writing. Because his father disapproved of his career choice, and instead wanted him to study law, his father sent him away to stay at The Hague for a year. Following his return to Paris, he then eventually “completed his first play, Oedipe, which was also to be his first success” and later, began the Henriade and ultimately decided to change his official name to Voltaire (Voltaire 8). Since then, Voltaire was known for his satirical works and innovative views, but eventually passed away in 1778.
The Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment period was a time of intellectual and creative advancement. Starting from the Middle Ages, “scholars were taught what was accepted as truth—information that dated to Ancient Greece and Rome—without question” (Campbell 1). The Scientific Revolution, during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, was a movement where the curiosity of some of the greatest minds questioned outdated ideas and discovered that these concepts could not be supported. Among these intellectuals, was a man named Robert Boyle.
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His explanations such as all matter being composed of tiny particles, the difference between individual elements and chemical compounds, and the effect of temperature and pressure of gases, aided in the knowledge that people to this day use and study. His findings have changed the course of our world. Following the Scientific Revolution, the age of Enlightenment, similarly, “was also a revolutionary movement of intellectual ideas, characterized by the political and philosophical concepts of liberty and equality for all human beings” (Mercadal 1).
This era promoted progressive ideas that encouraged radical change and a different perspective on life. Adam Smith, an influential Scottish philosopher of this era, has held a significant role in society today. Now, “Smith’s reputation rests on his explanation of how rational self-interest in a free-market economy leads to economic well-being. It may surprise those who would discount Smith as an advocate of ruthless individualism that his first major work concentrates on ethics and charity” (Adam Smith 5). His ideas were undeniably different and ahead of his time compared to the early notions Europe and its society held.
Voltaire, born in Paris, France, was a philosopher during the Enlightenment period who, however, did not start taking interest in philosophy until after his exile in France into England. Because of a predicament with the Chevalier de Rohan, he was banned from Paris through unfair treatment, and “this incident left an indelible impression on Voltaire, and from that day onward he became an advocate for judicial reform” (Voltaire 9). His exile led him to newfound ideas that he greatly admired.
Soon enough, during his stay in England, ‘he studied England’s constitutional monarchy, its religious tolerance, its philosophical rationalism and the natural sciences. Voltaire also greatly admired English religious tolerance and freedom of speech, and saw these as necessary prerequisites for social and political progress. He saw England as a useful model for what he considered to be a backward France” (Voltaire 10). As a result of these discoveries, he began to spread these concepts, after his three-year exile, through his Lettres philosophiques.
Voltaire, more famously known and considered as an Enlightenment thinker and philosopher, also upheld various other titles. Because of his multiple talents and interests, “he wrote as many plays, stories, and poems as patently philosophical tracts” (Shank 1). He wrote his first play, Oedipe, which soon further boosted his success and recognition in elite society. Not only did he write this tragedy, but he published Lettres philosophiques, which revealed his thoughts and ideas on how France should be run.
His discoveries, “attracted to the philosophy of John Locke and ideas of Sir Isaac Newton”, established his interest in not only philosophy, but science as well (Voltaire 10). Through his association with the elite, he was able to demonstrate the ideals of not only an Enlightenment thinker by suggesting improved concepts to better society’s behavior, but a Renaissance man as well because of how well-rounded he was. He was gifted in various fields and like all well-known scholars of this time, was curious about the world around him.
Works Cited
- Shank, J.B. “Voltaire.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 31 Aug. 2009, plato.stanford.edu/entries/voltaire/.
- Adcock, Patrick. “Voltaire.” Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2018. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=88365096&site=eds-live.
- “Voltaire.” Ohio River – New World Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Voltaire.
- Campbell, Josephine. “Scientific Revolution.” Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2018. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=98402197&site=eds-live.
- Mercadal, Trudy, “Age of Enlightenment.” Salem Press Encyclopedia, 2017. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ers&AN=90558238&site=eds-live.
- “Adam Smith.” Mill, On Liberty, Chapter 1 | Library of Economics and Liberty, www.econlib.org/library/Enc/bios/Smith.html.
