…Simply superior to British Empiricism and German Idealism

 Emphasis on reason, toleration, natural law, and confidence in modern man.  Promoted an idea of Change and Progress.  Obtained this change by questioning traditional customs, morals, and institutions  Reason is the primary basis of authority.  Many ideas pertained to political economy, government, and the sciences

 Born November 21, 1964 in Paris.  Voltaire is the pen name of Francois- Marie Arouet.  Studied and majored in law but pursued literary career.  Was imprisoned for writings on Philippe II, but continued to write in prison.  Died in 1778, with the last words "For God's sake, let me die in peace."

 French Enlightenment writer, essayist, deist, and philosopher known for his wit, philosophical sport, and defense of civil liberties.  Outspoken supporter of social reform.  Is said to have written over 20,000 letters as well as over 2,000 books and pamphlets.

 Criticized organized religion, but not religion itself. "If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him."  Voltaire focused on the idea of a universe based on reason and a respect for nature. This reflected the contemporary Pantheism.  Thought of the bible as outdated, a metaphor, and not a divine gift.

 "What is faith? Is it to believe that which is evident? No. It is perfectly evident to my mind that there exists a necessary, eternal, supreme, and intelligent being. This is no matter of faith, but of reason."

 Born June 28, 1712 in Geneva, Switzerland  Mom died and dad left at an early age  Read a lot as a child  Had many children, but left all at orphanages at young ages

 Believed that man was good when in the state of nature, or whenever he was free from the vices of political society  Believed man was corrupted by society  Society’s negative influence comes from its transformation of amour de soi (positive self love) into amour-propre (pride)  For example, argued that the arts and sciences were not beneficial to humans, because they weren’t basic needs, but the results of pride and vanity

 Said that the state of nature was a state without law or morality  As society developed, humans were required to adopt laws, which has led to a degeneration of society  In this society, man is lead to compete with his fellow man, while also being dependent upon them  This double pressure has threatened man’s survival and freedom

 Aim of education is to learn how to live righteously  Believed in the natural subordination of women, educating them to be governed by their husband while the man is educated to be self-governed  Man must be taught how to avoid vices of urban individualism and self- consciousness