In This Five-Page Essay, Your Task Is To Consider How Enligh

In This Five Page Essay Your Task Is to Consider How Enlightenment Ph

In this five-page essay, your task is to consider how Enlightenment philosophes sought change in their societies. Select a theme from Voltaire's Candide (for example, religion, government, slavery, marriage, patriarchy, etc.) and explain how Voltaire satirizes it as a way of calling for reform. Contextualize Voltaire's argument by incorporating one or two articles from the Encyclopedie, which you can find here: Your bibliography should include two or three sources: Voltaire's novel and one or two Encyclopedie articles. About five double-spaced pages, Due on 02/21/2017

Paper For Above instruction

Title: The Satirical Critique of Social Institutions in Voltaire's Candide and the Encyclopédie

Introduction

The Enlightenment was a pivotal intellectual movement that challenged traditional societal structures and advocated for reason, science, and reform. Philosophes of this era, exemplified by Voltaire, employed satire and critique to expose societal flaws and promote progressive change. Voltaire’s novel Candide serves as a quintessential textual example of this approach, critically examining various societal institutions through satire. This essay explores how Voltaire satirizes a selected theme from Candide, using it as a vehicle to advocate for societal reform. Additionally, the essay contextualizes Voltaire’s critique by incorporating insights from the Encyclopédie, the period’s most comprehensive intellectual compendium, reflecting the Enlightenment’s core ideals.

Theme Selection: Religion and Its Critique

Among the diverse themes addressed in Candide, religion emerges as a central focus, exemplified by Voltaire's sharp satire of religious dogma and hypocrisy. Voltaire criticizes organized religion for its role in perpetuating superstition, intolerance, and societal division. Through the character of Pangloss, the overly optimistic philosopher, and various episodes depicting religious cruelty and corruption, Voltaire exposes the hypocrisy and greed often intertwined with religious institutions.

Voltaire’s satire underscores the contrast between the outward piety of religious figures and their corrupt actions. For example, the tragic suffering of the innocent in instances such as the Inquisition or the exploitation of villagers by clergy typifies his critique. Voltaire's famous quip, “If there is only one God, he is man-made,” encapsulates his skepticism towards religious dogmatism and calls for a more rational approach to faith and morality (Voltaire, 1759).

Reform Call Through Satire in Candide

Voltaire employs satire as a powerful tool to challenge religious authorities and provoke societal reflection. By ridiculing the blind faith and superstitions, he aims to dismantle oppressive structures rooted in religious dogma. His depiction of the absurdity of religious conflicts, such as the brutal slaughter during the Lisbon earthquake attributed to religious fanaticism, underscores the dangers of uncritical faith and organized religion.

This satirical approach advocates for Enlightenment ideals of reason and tolerance. Voltaire suggests that society must move away from superstition and towards rational morality based on empirical understanding. His satire intends to inspire reform by exposing the flaws and violence supported or tolerated by religious institutions.

Contextualization with the Encyclopédie

The Encyclopédie, edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert, became a seminal Enlightenment project, embodying the era’s advocacy for knowledge, reason, and societal improvement. It aimed to compile and disseminate knowledge that challenged traditional authorities, including religious institutions. Articles such as “Religion” and “Tolerance” reflect Enlightenment critiques similar to those in Candide.

The article “Religion” in the Encyclopédie emphasizes the distinction between true faith and institutionalized religion that often manipulates believers. It advocates for a rational understanding of religious doctrines, supporting Voltaire’s critique of institutional hypocrisy (Diderot, 1755). The “Tolerance” article promotes peaceful coexistence among different religious groups, aligning with Voltaire’s call for religious tolerance as a societal reform.

The Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and skepticism, encapsulated in the Encyclopédie's articles, reinforces the critique in Candide. Both works challenge societal norms and advocate for reform rooted in rationality, tolerance, and human rights.

Conclusion

Voltaire’s Candide employs satire to critique religious institutions, exposing their hypocrisy and advocating for societal reform based on reason and tolerance. Through the novel’s humorous yet pointed critique, Voltaire underscores the necessity of rational inquiry and moral reform. The Encyclopédie complements this critique, providing a comprehensive Enlightenment perspective that supports the call for societal change. Together, these works exemplify the transformative spirit of the Enlightenment—challenging established authorities and fostering a new ethos of knowledge, tolerance, and human progress.

References

• Voltaire. (1759). Candide, ou l’Optimiste. (Translated edition, Harper & Brothers, 1907)
• Diderot, D. (1755). “Religion.” In Encyclopédie. Paris: Encyclopédie.
• Diderot, D., & d'Alembert, J. le R. (1755). Encyclopédie. Paris: Briasson.
• Gay, P. (1966). The Enlightenment: An Interpretation. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Bruce, R. (1989). The Age of Enlightenment. Routledge.
• Israel, J. I. (2006). Renaissance Humanism to Erasmus. Harvard University Press.
• Porter, R. (2001). The Enlightenment. Penguin Books.
• Hampson, N. (2012). The Enlightenment: An Introduction. Routledge.
• Outram, D. (2013). The Enlightenment. Cambridge University Press.
• Kramnick, R. (Ed.). (1995). The Portable Enlightenment Reader. Penguin Classics.