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Lisa
"Il faut donc que les hommes commencent par n'être pas fanatiques cascade mériter la tolérance."

Voltaire's treaty on tolerance is as bright every bit it is educating. In its core message, it has the same stringency and ability today as two and a one-half centuries ago, when he wrote it.

Knowing the upshot of writing or talking freely in an oppressively unified environment (political or religious or both), anyone can imagine the bravery of standing up to the evils of one's own social club, one's own religion. It

"Il faut donc que les hommes commencent par n'être pas fanatiques pour mériter la tolérance."

Voltaire's treaty on tolerance is as bright as information technology is educating. In its core message, it has the same stringency and power today as 2 and a one-half centuries ago, when he wrote it.

Knowing the effect of writing or talking freely in an oppressively unified environment (political or religious or both), anyone tin imagine the bravery of standing up to the evils of one'south own lodge, 1's own religion. It is easy enough to criticize other religions and their followers, and the easiest affair in the world to dismiss atheists as lacking depth, imagination and spiritual intelligence, but to stand upwards amongst the people with whom you share a cultural background, and telephone call out to them to be tolerant, respectful and open-minded towards other religions and atheists, when yous accept seen the dangerous furnishings of costless-thinking in courts, in neighbourhoods, in churches, - that requires courage.

Voltaire risked more than than an impolite or insulting respond when he wrote to tell his Catholic countrymen to let their god take intendance of the penalisation of so-called "heretics" if southward/he didn't approve of the kind of worship the protestants had chosen. If god is divine, so Voltaire'south thought, southward/he doesn't need humans to be judges on divine matters. Southward/he is perfectly capable to punish people him/herself, should due south/he really consider that adequate. If southward/he is not divine, it is implicitly understood, people should almost definitely not impale each other because they take different opinions on rituals and theological discourses.

His essay is strictly focused on achieving justice for the family Calas, whose treatment by French justices and priests had shaken Voltaire and the intellectual Paris society to movement into action.

Carefully arguing for tolerance, he takes a theist and monarchist position, and cites from historical sources to point out the evidence for successful tolerance in ancient and contemporary societies. His idea of co-habitation would probably not be plenty for a human rights supporter of today, every bit he clearly grants the dominating faith more than privileges than other lifestyles. Just looking dorsum on two centuries of continued massacres in French republic, a first step towards peaceful respect seems both reasonable and commendable.

Brainy, witty, focused on the issue, Voltaire shows his humanity in his hard work for justice, too often obstructed for reasons of politics or faith. His willingness to speak up and declare solidarity with an oppressed family is nevertheless inspiring, every bit is his irony and delightful prose!

I cartel to claim his arguments are well worth reading, even if you practise not happen to be a theist monarchist. He doesn't believe in the right to absolute, exclusive truth. He believes in open discussion!

A lively case of humanity at work!

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Luís
Here is a book that has no age; the words of Voltaire are nevertheless relevant. I liked the diatribes on tolerance and intolerance.
I like this book which has not taken a ride on the misdeeds of faith and beliefs.
Paul
An impassioned plea for religious tolerance by Voltaire, triggered past the execution of Jean Calas in Toulouse.
Jean Calas was a Protestant merchant in Toulouse who was sentenced to death for the murder of his son. All the evidence pointed to suicide by hanging and Calas was a delicate man who would not accept had the strength to murder his son in this way. Calas was sentenced to be broken at the bike, a particularly barbarous form of execution. Voltaire heard nigh the cause and took up the cause for a
An impassioned plea for religious tolerance by Voltaire, triggered past the execution of Jean Calas in Toulouse.
Jean Calas was a Protestant merchant in Toulouse who was sentenced to death for the murder of his son. All the evidence pointed to suicide past hanging and Calas was a delicate human being who would not have had the forcefulness to murder his son in this way. Calas was sentenced to be broken at the bicycle, a particularly barbarous form of execution. Voltaire heard about the cause and took upwardly the crusade for a posthumous pardon and bounty for the remaining family unit. Information technology was a long battle and this treatise is part of the campaign.
The treatise is a run through of recent French history in relation to tolerance and peculiarly the persecution of the Huguenots. Voltaire proceeds to look at Christian history, the early Church Fathers, the Bible, other religions and the ancient Greeks and Romans. Throughout Voltaire emphasises his own Christian credentials every bit a good Catholic; simply his arguments, caustic wit and sheer scepticism indicate to him being afar from religious belief, or equally much as he could be at the fourth dimension. He is essentially a Deist.
Voltaire treats the reader to an entertaining run through some of the battier behavior of the early church and examines the persecution past the Romans to show that this has been exaggerated and most of the time the church went out of its mode to attract persecution. He as well contrasts the bloodthirstiness of the Erstwhile Testament with the more than tolerant approach of the New Testament. Of class Voltaire continues to make the bespeak that if you are right you don't need to persecute, just persuade. He also shows a preference for Eastern religions equally opposed to the Religions of the Book (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).
This is a very humane book, baffled by the inhumanity of the Church and arguing for the toleration and complimentary thought. It feels very modern.
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Marc
Apologetic treatise of Voltaire around the 'Calas'-example. This man, a protestant, was wrongly convicted and executed for the murder of his son. Voltaire succeeded in rehabilitating him. This treatise is rather dislocated, but it gives a proficient plea confronting intolerance. However, Voltaire is non really consistent: he did not recollect that the Huguenots were to exist restored in their total rights, and he refers to the English example to defend a light form of bigotry. Apologetic treatise of Voltaire effectually the 'Calas'-case. This homo, a protestant, was wrongly bedevilled and executed for the murder of his son. Voltaire succeeded in rehabilitating him. This treatise is rather dislocated, but it gives a good plea against intolerance. However, Voltaire is not really consistent: he did non think that the Huguenots were to be restored in their full rights, and he refers to the English example to defend a light class of discrimination. ...more
Noah Goats
Voltaire wrote Traite sur la Tolerance in response to a very specific and brutal act of religious violence: the judicial murder of protestant Jean Calas by Catholic authorities. The focus of the book is on a specific species of intolerance (Catholic persecution of Protestants in France) that really isn't much of an issue anymore. Voltaire argues with his opponents on their own terms, using scripture, history, and the teachings of the saints (along with healthy doses of humanity and common sense) Voltaire wrote Traite sur la Tolerance in response to a very specific and brutal act of religious violence: the judicial murder of protestant Jean Calas by Catholic authorities. The focus of the book is on a specific species of intolerance (Cosmic persecution of Protestants in French republic) that actually isn't much of an issue anymore. Voltaire argues with his opponents on their own terms, using scripture, history, and the teachings of the saints (forth with healthy doses of humanity and common sense) to make his instance. Some of these specific details don't seem entirely relevant for today'south debates that yet rage around the issue of intolerance, merely I think it's however worth information technology to read this trivial volume. For one affair, it's an interesting look at the way 1 of the groovy minds of the 1700s dealt with the horrors of fanatical religious fervor that somehow lived side by side with the Enlightenment. Too it'due south fun to read a great writer when he's passionately writing about an upshot that is deeply important to him. ...more
Carlotta
the category is: insufferable little bitch
Fariba
On March ten, 1762 Jean Calas was tortured and executed for allegedly murdering his son Marc-Antoine. Although Jean was the only member of the family unit executed, his wife, servant, son Paul, and friend One thousand. Gaubert Lavaysse were also implicated in the murder. The Calas affair came to Voltaire'south attention because it appeared to exist a instance of religious fanaticism.

Jean's eldest son Louis had already converted to Catholicism years before, and the family employed a Cosmic retainer. Nonetheless, the court sided

On March 10, 1762 Jean Calas was tortured and executed for allegedly murdering his son Marc-Antoine. Although Jean was the just fellow member of the family unit executed, his wife, servant, son Paul, and friend M. Gaubert Lavaysse were also implicated in the murder. The Calas affair came to Voltaire's attention because it appeared to exist a instance of religious fanaticism.

Jean'due south eldest son Louis had already converted to Catholicism years before, and the family unit employed a Catholic retainer. All the same, the court sided with the crowd and ruled that Jean murdered his Catholic son for heresy. If Jean was required by his Calvinist organized religion to murder his son (as the Catholic prosecutors claimed), why did he employ a Catholic servant? And why would the Catholic retainer agree to murder a young man Catholic?

In all appearances, Marc-Antoine committed suicide. The family members were eating dinner when their son suddenly left the room. His body was found hanging in the front room.

Even before the constabulary stepped in, a crowd of Catholics carried the body abroad and buried in consecrated ground. They began venerating Marc-Antoine every bit a Catholic martyr. The judges in Toulouse could not concord on the case, but they condemned Jean to death anyway. Through a series of authentic and potentially fictional letters, The Calas Affair traces the events leading upwards to and following the death of Marc-Antoine.

Simply it'due south the following Treatise on Tolerance that is arguably more important than the précis of the affair. Hither, Voltaire makes a instance for religious tolerance.

I was surprised by Voltaire' knowledge of the Bible. He clearly followed contemporary Biblical scholarship. Although some people accuse Voltaire of antisemitism, I had the contrary impression. Voltaire condemns the violence of the Old Testament, but he also argues that early Judaism was more tolerant than 18th century Christianity. Voltaire is only intolerant toward Atheists because he assumes that they are necessarily amoral. Voltaire may have exist a Deist and highly critical of faith, just he was influenced past and admired many aspects of the Judeo-Christian tradition. In The Treatise on Tolerance, Voltaire targets particularly the Christian dogmatic tradition for promoting heresy hunting .

Voltaire rightly argues that the aboriginal Romans were by and large tolerant toward different religions. The periods of persecution were the exception to the rule. Y'all would retrieve that a persecuted organized religion such as Christianity would know what persecution feels similar and avoid persecuting others. But Christians of all stripes accept committed numerous atrocities over the centuries.

Voltaire makes it clear that the Gospels do not promote violence and intolerance. In an eye-opening commentary on the Old Attestation, Voltaire demonstrates that the Old Testament God is only concerned about the behavior of the Jewish people. God is not concerned about the behavior of Gentile religions. Finally, God's punishments and rewards are immediate and temporal. Voltaire references Hebrew, questions the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch, considers whether Judaism began as semi-polytheistic, and has a detailed noesis of the early ecclesiastical councils – prove that he kept upwardly with contemporary religious scholarship.

Voltaire argues throughout his treatise that fanaticism is not only irrational but as well a violation of true organized religion. Information technology is hypocrisy at its finest. The Treatise on Tolerance is all the more disarming for its simplicity. Today, most people in the West take it for granted that executing perceived heretics is incorrect, but religious bigotry is unfortunately alive and well. 18th century justifications for the persecution of French Protestants (Huguenots) sound eerily familiar.

If much of Voltaire's statement seems obvious to about readers, that's because nosotros have progressed a lot in the past 3 hundred years. It certainly wasn't obvious to many of his contemporaries. In 1572, anywhere between x,000 and 70,000 Huguenots were massacred on St. Bartholomew'due south Day. In the 1700s, when Voltaire wrote The Treatise on Tolerance, Catholics still celebrated the anniversary of the massacre!

The Treatise on Tolerance is a reminder of what prejudice is capable of. While some sections are humorous, it is not a satire. Voltaire cuts to the heart of the matter. This is definitely a work worth revisiting in our increasingly intolerant age.

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Xander
Sep nineteen, 2017 rated it it was ok
In 1762 a young man committed suicide in his home in Toulouse. This would be a tragedy for whatsoever family, but the tragedy of the Calas family would be fifty-fifty bigger. Since the whole family was at home at the time when the son commited suicide, and, more than importantly, since they were Huguenots, the Cosmic mob accused them of killing their son. Jean Calas, the male parent was convicted and was tortured to death on the cycle. The sons were forced into a monastery (prison), the daughters were forced into con In 1762 a young man committed suicide in his home in Toulouse. This would exist a tragedy for any family, just the tragedy of the Calas family unit would exist fifty-fifty bigger. Since the whole family was at domicile at the time when the son commited suicide, and, more chiefly, since they were Huguenots, the Cosmic mob accused them of killing their son. Jean Calas, the father was bedevilled and was tortured to death on the wheel. The sons were forced into a monastery (prison house), the daughters were forced into convents (prison), while the mother lost all her positions and was to end her life in poverty.

While the French Catholics were blessing of this trial or (at best) looking away, one man was disgusted by it all. This man was Voltaire, and he decided to write a treatise to promote religious tolerance. During his stay in England (1726-1728), Voltaire became acquainted with philosopher John Locke. In his Letter on Toleration (1689) Locke argued that no church building could take a legitimate claim to ability. Civilians agreed to a social contract whereby the sovereign would proceeds legislative and executive powers, so civilians only had to comit themselves to the country - churches had no right to claim power over civilians, since this power would exist unfounded.

In the Treatise on Toleration, Voltaire decides to pick another route to toleration. He writes as if he were a Catholic (90% of France were Catholics, then this is the audience he aims at) and from this betoken he argues for toleration for all the religious minorities (especially the Huguenots). He wrote this in a time of heavy persecution by the French churches and a mass exodus of Huguenots to The netherlands and England.

The text itself is not really one whole; each affiliate of the 25 is curt and deals with a unlike subjects. There are some main themes in this treatise, but Voltaire was no philosopher or scientist and this shows in his text. It would accept been better if he picked a construction and fabricated some choices in what to include and what to exclude.

In broad outlines: he uses the Calas execution equally a motivation to write this treatise. Adjacent, he traces the attitude that lead to this particular execution - but more importantly: religious fanaticism in general - to the Reformation. After this looks at the state of religious tolerance in ancient Hellenic republic, the Roman Empire and early Christendom. He concludes that these times saw religious tolerance and that the only intolerance came from christians (present, we would phone call the martyrologies of early Christendom fake news).

Later this brief historical overview, Voltaire states that religious intolerance leads to the abeyance of Reason and to corruption. He so asks the reader this of import question: what does Scripture say about tolerance? He shows that, co-ordinate to books of the Old Testament, the Jews knew long periods of tolerance and according to the New Attestation, the message of Jesus is tolerance - and no coercion. I think this last part is of import, since fanatical christians who see Christ every bit saviour, would do well to ponder this fact. He underlines this of import point with the plea for tolerance of some famous writers (churchfathers, philosophers, etc.).

At this point the book becomes a collection of short statements. He tries to evidence with a dialogue how unreasonable intolerance is and uses a letter, supposedly written past a Jesuit to encourage attacks on not-Jesuits, to show the danger in practise. Besides this, Voltaire reasons from a practical standpoint: the exodus of Huguenots makes Holland and England militarily and economically stronger, so intolerance leads to a weaker nation.

The most important message is contained in chapter 18, which basically summarizes the whole treatise: is intolerance justified? Only to destroy intolerance, co-ordinate to Voltaire. This reminded me of the famous quotation of Karl Raimund Popper, who claimed that nosotros should be "intolerant of intolerance". The hidden message of this chapter is, of course, that the state should actively exterminate religious intolerance and fanaticism (this clearly is Locke's influence on Voltaire).

Voltaire endeavors to establish universal tolerance. Posing as a Catholic, he hoped to convince the Catholic French majority that this was the best choice. I'thousand not in a position to guess if Voltaire succeeded in this, just my approximate is that the horrors of the Terror during the French Revolution were (partly) a reaction to centuries of Catholic persecution, censure and oppression. Intolerant people will reap what they sow.

I'm also not in the position to make claims about the importance and influence of this treatise; equally a book I found it unstructured and at times besides random (as if it lacks a master objective), but as a plea for (religious) tolerance, the contents are not less of import. Information technology looks like Voltaire wanted universal tolerance so bad that he put all the arguments - philosophical, judicial/political, ethical, practical - he could observe into the blender and came up with this treatise.

Equally with all of Voltaire's works (and the works of other contemporaries like Montesquieu and Diderot), this book tin be read in a couple of hours. This will certainly not be a waste of time, because the of import message!

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Elo
For a book written more than 250 years ago (1763) Voltaire'south Treaty on Tolerance is accurately relevant to today's struggles about religion. Or maybe information technology is that mankind doesn't change nor larn most its mistakes.

In any case, tolerance is what we need to fight for.

I don't take much noesis a virtually all the history Voltaire evoqued (where the Romans every bit tolerant every bit he claimed? Voltaire seems to idealise a petty a few historical figures but he does give us examples to support his views on toleran

For a book written more than 250 years ago (1763) Voltaire's Treaty on Tolerance is accurately relevant to today's struggles nearly religion. Or maybe it is that flesh doesn't change nor learn about its mistakes.

In whatever case, tolerance is what we need to fight for.

I don't accept much noesis a about all the history Voltaire evoqued (where the Romans as tolerant as he claimed? Voltaire seems to idealise a petty a few historical figures but he does give usa examples to support his views on tolerance, it's important to mind to his message).

This is nigh a book near religions and how men handle it through history. And information technology is a book almost tolerance.

It's brusk and goes direct to the point and to exercise then uses and quotes many historical events as well as words from religious texts because intolerance is often rooted -wrongfully- in struggles about religions.

In curt: we were not meant for hatred, but honey and acceptance. Isn't it what nosotros should all alive by?

That beingness said, Voltaire seems to put accent on Jews, among others, and defend his christianity. Sure, he presents "logical" arguments/thinking but I think he was biased in certain ways. This is not an atheist accept (not that it should exist, only saying) and christianity is the principal anchor to his advocating tolerance.

So I'd say it is an interesting text that should exist read with an open-mind. Similar all of us, Voltaire is not perfect, and a production of his time, merely gives us skilful points and food for thoughts.

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Justin Evans
April xvi, 2017 rated information technology really liked it
The argument vacillates between the obvious and the inaccurate--obvious, like in grad school, when one of my fellow students upwardly after someone's talk and, stroking the volume he was holding, asked if the point of the talk could be summed up by "Grotius'due south remark, if I may say it, that we must not burn each other;" inaccurate, as in Voltaire'south lengthy, unnecessary, and pointless attempt to testify that nobody had e'er been religiously intolerant earlier Christianity and, more peculiarly, before the 18 The statement vacillates between the obvious and the inaccurate--obvious, like in grad school, when one of my fellow students up after someone'due south talk and, stroking the book he was belongings, asked if the point of the talk could be summed up by "Grotius'southward remark, if I may say it, that we must not burn each other;" inaccurate, as in Voltaire'south lengthy, unnecessary, and pointless attempt to testify that nobody had ever been religiously intolerant before Christianity and, more than especially, before the 18th century in France. But holy hell is this great invective and rhetoric, including the all time dandy gem about everyone having enough religion to hate, but bereft to beloved one another. It's worth remembering, in the era of Daesh and Sam Harris, that Voltaire believed in God (and and then Harris really shouldn't imagine he's in this lineage, leaving aside the laughable gap in writing power), and didn't believe in burning people. He was an asshole, sure, simply in his ain, unique way. ...more
Justine
A powerful message, a praise for tolerance. This book is unfortunately still so truthful! Nosotros so litle evolved since Voltaire, that's so sad. Of form, the treaty deals with the Calas case, and then the discipline is mostly religious persecutions ; I found it really instructive, by and large well-nigh the Romans and their relation with Christians. A powerful message, a praise for tolerance. This book is unfortunately still then true! We so litle evolved since Voltaire, that's so deplorable. Of course, the treaty deals with the Calas example, and so the subject field is generally religious persecutions ; I found it really instructive, mostly near the Romans and their relation with Christians. ...more
James Henderson
Three years later the publication of Candide Voltaire penned this extended essay on intolerance. Spurred by the wrongful execution of Jean Calas for the supposed offense of murdering his eldest son, Voltaire narrates the mistakes made by the Catholic Church in this affair and continues with 2 dozen chapters on the history of intolerance throughout the ages.
Nelson
Aug 19, 2020 rated information technology really liked it
Am instruction this soon so wanted to have a look at this edition and see how useful it might be. Voltaire'southward treatise is going to presuppose a rather dense amount of contextual knowledge of the sort that gimmicky students might not be expected to possess anymore. To take full pleasance in the arguments, some basic understanding of the development of Christianity, the history of the Reformation, the wars of faith, the development of Islam and its inroad on the borders of Europe, the poli Am teaching this presently so wanted to have a look at this edition and see how useful it might be. Voltaire's treatise is going to presuppose a rather dense amount of contextual knowledge of the sort that contemporary students might not exist expected to possess anymore. To take full pleasure in the arguments, some basic understanding of the development of Christianity, the history of the Reformation, the wars of religion, the development of Islam and its inroad on the borders of Europe, the political history of France in the centuries just prior to Voltaire and more than would be helpful. So whatever modern edition of this text that is going to be useful is going to have to practice a solid job in the footnotes roofing this stuff. Simply too heavy a hand and the volume volition exist absolutely rubbish for classroom purposes. This Penguin edition, translated and annotated by Desmond Clarke, emeritus of the National Academy of Republic of ireland, Cork, seems to take struck a useful balance. At times Voltaire'southward text presents the kinds of challenges facing say, a translator of Bayle'south Historical and Critical Dictionary (a text Voltaire knew and which, in some ways, this treatise resembles). Oftentimes in Bayle, the existent intellectual fireworks are hidden inside the footnotes or, maddeningly, the footnotes to his footnotes. That presents the modern editor with a host of problems. A similar challenge exists hither. Voltaire, to evade potential censorship and official recrimination himself, adopts a tone of ironic obedience to orthodoxy throughout the text. The context of any given moment signals whether this obedience is, at a particular juncture, tongue in cheek. A more helpful guide to tone oftentimes exists in his spiky footnotes. The conundrum for an editor is how much of this stuff to spell out and in how much detail. A heavy hand will make an already troublesome text even more than of an obstacle to the modernistic reader. All of which is to say Clarke seems to take threaded the needle well hither. I rarely felt the annotations were lacking in basic information needed for the modern reader and only slightly more often felt that the annotations were overkill in terms of spelling matters out. The stars here are really about the task of editing Clarke has done; Voltaire's arguments here are nearly worthy of v stars on their ain. ...more
Johann
Jan 04, 2022 rated it really liked it
Voltaire wrote Treatise on Toleration in 1762 (first published in 1763) as a critique of religious persecutions in French republic. Voltaire built on the work of Locke, who, over 70 years earlier, in his 2d Treatise on Government, had argued for the separation of church building and state. Locke's piece of work greatly influenced the American Revolution and the U.S. Constitution.
But what does this have to do with things today?
There are a few interesting things that come up to listen when reading Treatise on Toleration. 1.
Voltaire wrote Treatise on Toleration in 1762 (first published in 1763) as a critique of religious persecutions in France. Voltaire built on the work of Locke, who, over 70 years before, in his 2nd Treatise on Authorities, had argued for the separation of church and country. Locke's work greatly influenced the American Revolution and the U.Due south. Constitution.
Just what does this have to exercise with things today?
In that location are a few interesting things that come up to mind when reading Treatise on Toleration. 1. Intolerance is rampant in today's club. Too many people want to control the life of others. Their beliefs, their sexual orientation, the way they dress, speak or interact with one another. Finally, and most relevant today, political opinions are being treated like a cult. 2. While superstition is protected by law (as long equally it is claimed to be a religion at least) it does non allow those belonging to ane sect to prosecute others. The difference in eating habits or headgear should not bear upon how you treat people. 3. Information technology as well brings to mind where toleration cannot be applied. When discussing facts, right and wrong, there is no middle footing. All the same, when the facts have been laid out, the ane on the side of the fact should be tolerant towards the i on the opposite side, simply at that place are limits to what length ane must go to explain reality to those who refuse it. Equally the saying goes, you can atomic number 82 the horse to the water, but you lot cannot go far drinkable. Also, y'all may explain a thing to people, but you lot cannot understand information technology for them. four. Finally while many rights have been protected past law, information technology is worth thinking about why such protection is needed and for whom it has been brought about. In the US there are various laws protecting people of colour, women, sexual orientation, children, quondam people, and people with inability. Why did congress need to human action and make laws to protect these groups? The respond is sad and uncomplicated, it is because these groups were persecuted, taken reward of, driveling, and threatened by others in the society nosotros alive in. Equally far as I know, there are no laws specifically protecting white men. Perhaps considering white men have been the aggressor in most cases through the history of the U.s.a..
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Linda
My boy Voltaire, information technology's always so skilful to return to you. Voltaire is my other soulmate besides John Quincy Adams. Their lives overlapped eleven years so we probably aren't all three the aforementioned reincarnated personage. Anyhow, this book was inspired when a human was executed for murdering his son, which he almost surely didn't practice. Voltaire examines the anti-Protestant sentiment that stirred up crowds of fellow citizens against their religiously different neighbor and so looks at religious persecution My boy Voltaire, it's always so practiced to render to yous. Voltaire is my other soulmate besides John Quincy Adams. Their lives overlapped eleven years then we probably aren't all three the same reincarnated personage. Anyway, this book was inspired when a man was executed for murdering his son, which he virtually surely didn't exercise. Voltaire examines the anti-Protestant sentiment that stirred upwardly crowds of fellow citizens against their religiously unlike neighbor and then looks at religious persecution or lack thereof in history to basically prove that ascendant European Catholics are just the WORST!

He's so smart and well read and human being rightsy simply he also has such a modern sensibility and is regularly witty.

Learned a lot, practiced French vocab, shook my head at human stupidity...

Love my boy Voltaire!

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samsam
An excellent classic written in reaction to a slice of news where an innocent Protestant man and his familly were unjustly accused and punished for the murder of their son (who had really committed suicide). Voltaire, scandalised by how the whole justice was served, writes a very good piece on how tolerance is a cardinal slice of a working society, and how both the Greco-Roman and Christian cultures are, and should be, cultures and societies of tolerance. A must-read in these troubled times An excellent classic written in reaction to a slice of news where an innocent Protestant human being and his familly were unjustly accused and punished for the murder of their son (who had actually committed suicide). Voltaire, scandalised past how the whole justice was served, writes a very good slice on how tolerance is a cardinal piece of a working society, and how both the Greco-Roman and Christian cultures are, and should exist, cultures and societies of tolerance. A must-read in these troubled times. ...more
Alexey Shurygin
Today nosotros have many things for granted. Like religious freedom. Swoop into Eighteen century Europe where ppl get mass murdered bc of their beliefs (literally). In this book, Voltaire makes the perfect argument for religious tolerance, something most of the states enjoys today. His piece of work was transformative for the earth that we know. Also, it's a very enjoyable practice in rational thinking. Go, read it, no regrets
Giulia Caputo
"Information technology is truthful that the great emperor JungCing, the wisest and most magnanimous, maybe, that China has had, expelled the Jesuits; but not because he was intolerant, on the contrary: because the Jesuits were."
I of the nearly amazing europeans minds of all times. A masterpiece. Thank you Voltaire
Stewart Lindstrom
A moving, impassioned polemic against the forces of fantacism in Cosmic France c. 1760. Voltaire is a very straightforward writer, easy to read, and there are not a few citizens in our Western democracies, rife as they are with fanaticism these days, who could benefit from Voltaire's tutelage. A moving, impassioned polemic against the forces of fantacism in Catholic France c. 1760. Voltaire is a very straightforward writer, like shooting fish in a barrel to read, and there are non a few citizens in our Western democracies, rife equally they are with fanaticism these days, who could benefit from Voltaire's tutelage. ...more
Naji
This review has been subconscious considering it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. For a philosopher at least he should know the bad nature of humans, and know there is no hope of modify. What was his intentions for writing this book?! Change the man nature of millions in 200 pages?! Peut mieux faire 😊
Jung Edda
Jun 01, 2020 rated it really liked it
A brilliant defense of the indefensible. An appeal to reason for the unreasonable. A waste of time for the idiotic mass, but a bang-up investment for the rational individual.
Anita Lopes
It feels a bit long, if you are not besides familiar with the fashion. Information technology feels very modern! which is a bit scary to recall of...
Emmy
Becky
Feb 24, 2020 rated information technology liked it
He makes a compellingly argument. Smart lad that Voltaire
Alexander
When a Protestant father is unjustly accused of murdering his own son to prevent his conversion to Roman Catholicism and brutally executed, the incensed Voltaire leaps to the defence of his family and retention. It was Jean Calas who was the victim of Roman Catholic bigotry, and Voltaire, as well a Catholic, writes against all manifestations of intolerance and fanaticism.

He argues firstly that tolerance is desirable on pragmatic grounds, and that intolerance is dangerous. He then looks at the Former and

When a Protestant begetter is unjustly accused of murdering his ain son to forbid his conversion to Roman Catholicism and brutally executed, the incensed Voltaire leaps to the defense force of his family unit and memory. It was Jean Calas who was the victim of Roman Cosmic discrimination, and Voltaire, too a Catholic, writes against all manifestations of intolerance and fanaticism.

He argues firstly that tolerance is desirable on pragmatic grounds, and that intolerance is dangerous. He then looks at the Old and New Testaments, and concludes that "God tolerate[s] other religions", and that it is "better [to] be a martyr than a hangman".

The treatise also contains a number of quotations in favour of tolerance and 2 short anecdotes.

The Calas Affair is non especially interesting equally a theological piece of work, merely his argument on tolerance is thorough and complete.

"The ane sure method of diminishing the number of these lunatics, should in that location be any left, is to expose their mental affliction to the influence of Reason, the one wearisome but infallible route towards enlightenment."

"Let us treat with due reverence those parts of the Scriptures with which our vain, inquisitive minds have difficulty, and non use them equally an excuse for implacable hatreds."

"Yet of all superstitions is non the most dangerous that which demands we detest our neighbour on account of his opinion?"

"These mistakes should... simply become criminal when they threaten to undermine order, and they undermine society whenever they inspire fanaticism."

"To the Bishop of Hippo I would say, 'Monseigneur, you take inverse your stance. Allow me to adhere to your earlier point of view. which, in truth, I think the better ane."

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Fulvia
Voltaire's Treatise on Tolerance becomes bestseller following Paris attacks.
Voltaire wrote "Treatise on Tolerance" following the trial of Jean Calas, a Protestant executed on claims he murdered his own son to prevent his conversion to Catholicism, a charge that Calas denied. Voltaire'south argument is illustrated in the following passages: "There are about forty millions of inhabitants in Europe who are not members of the Church of Rome; should we say to every one of them, 'Sir, since yous are infall
Voltaire's Treatise on Tolerance becomes bestseller following Paris attacks.
Voltaire wrote "Treatise on Tolerance" following the trial of Jean Calas, a Protestant executed on claims he murdered his own son to prevent his conversion to Catholicism, a charge that Calas denied. Voltaire's statement is illustrated in the following passages: "There are near twoscore millions of inhabitants in Europe who are non members of the Church building of Rome; should we say to every ane of them, 'Sir, since you are infallibly damned, I shall neither eat, antipodal, nor have any connections with y'all?'";
Voltaire, who was born in Paris in 1694, won both fame and censure as a prolific writer and pamphleteer. He penned stinging critiques of the Catholic Church and poignantly dedicated freedom of religion and liberty of expression. Voltaire was the most eloquent and tireless abet of the anti-dogmatic movement known as "The Enlightenment." He preached that all are obliged to tolerate each other. His objections to atheism are superficial and he looks on religious beliefs as useful, but not necessarily true. His arguments for religious freedom have get commonplaces in the modern Western globe, even amidst religious laic.
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Cornell Martin
May 26, 2019 rated it actually liked it
A timeless deconstruction of the harmful nature of fanaticism, Voltaire uses "A Treatise on Toleration" to shed calorie-free on how it almost universally leads to ruthless opportunism and unconscionable dogmatic cruelty. Through the lens of the persecution of an innocent family, he elegantly points out the calamitous inconsistencies and isolationism inherent to fanatical thinking and methodically builds toward the idea of coexistence as the greatest friend to humanity. Something that seemingly should not A timeless deconstruction of the harmful nature of fanaticism, Voltaire uses "A Treatise on Toleration" to shed lite on how it almost universally leads to ruthless opportunism and unconscionable dogmatic cruelty. Through the lens of the persecution of an innocent family, he elegantly points out the baleful inconsistencies and isolationism inherent to fanatical thinking and methodically builds toward the idea of coexistence as the greatest friend to humanity. Something that seemingly should not exist so novel or annihilation less than obvious, but often isn't.

Perhaps his about stirring observation comes from the precept that intolerance is the enemy of reason. Ardent in its views in support of humanity and humanism, critical of decisions made through narrow-minded passion, and whimsical at key moments, "Treatise" is a tale that holds water centuries later it'south initial publishing and a relic of the shift in homo beingness brought nearly through the enlightenment. Do read. As someone reading through a purely secular lens, information technology'south quite heavy on the religious doctrine, but understandable because the subject matter and inciting incident.

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Wieke Van Der Kroef
I started with Voltaire as a commencement of a journey through Renaissance writing on tolerance, to see if the sometime Renaissance writers could help me effigy out if tolerance is maybe only ever to exist expected from the blessed, contained thinkers within a ruling bulk.

Although there were some insights in the view of tolerance from the side of a ruling bulk - one of the arguments existence, why be intolerant of those who pose no real threat to your dominion over club - I was most surprised past the large

I started with Voltaire equally a first of a journey through Renaissance writing on tolerance, to see if the old Renaissance writers could help me effigy out if tolerance is maybe just ever to be expected from the blest, independent thinkers within a ruling bulk.

Although at that place were some insights in the view of tolerance from the side of a ruling majority - 1 of the arguments being, why be intolerant of those who pose no existent threat to your rule over society - I was most surprised past the large focus on the (Catholic) christian base used to explain the merit of tolerance. It makes me very interested in the question wether the calls for tolerance in other cultures have a similar base in religion.

In any case there is a lot more ground to exist (dis)covered...

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Ricardo
Written after a mediatic (at the time) trial, where an innocent human being was charged and executed for the homicide of his own son due to rumours and religious fanatics, Voltaire uses several examples from the bible to prove that religious intolerance has no sense, either in a evolved club, either in bust of the catholicism.
Although the master subject of the volume is the intolerance of a group of catholic fanatics, the overall message is that tolerance is an important office of the ground of what we
Written afterwards a mediatic (at the time) trial, where an innocent man was charged and executed for the homicide of his own son due to rumours and religious fanatics, Voltaire uses several examples from the bible to prove that religious intolerance has no sense, either in a evolved society, either in bust of the catholicism.
Although the main field of study of the book is the intolerance of a grouping of cosmic fanatics, the overall message is that tolerance is an important part of the footing of what we expect in our societies, from Voltaire's time to our own.
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John_the_bear
The sorry turnout of events for the Calas family unit allows the reader to reflect on today's French republic and its many traditional characteristics that stem from its past.

Between religious intolerance, power of the press, tyranny of the French family, limits of freewill, these letters, beyond the fact that they are written in an older French which is much pleasant to read, testify the reader what 1 man tin can achieve when he sets his mind to it and the limits of the powers of one homo lonely.

Smashing read.

The sad turnout of events for the Calas family allows the reader to reflect on today's French republic and its many traditional characteristics that stalk from its past.

Between religious intolerance, ability of the printing, tyranny of the French family, limits of freewill, these letters, across the fact that they are written in an older French which is much pleasant to read, prove the reader what one man can accomplish when he sets his heed to it and the limits of the powers of i man alone.

Swell read.

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Consummate works (1880) : https://archive.org/details/oeuvresco...

In 1694, Age of Enlightenment leader Francois-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, was born in Paris. Jesuit-educated, he began writing clever verses by the age of 12. He launched a lifelong, successful playwriting career in 1718, interrupted by imprisonment in the Bastille. Upon a second imprisonment, in which Francois adopted the pen na

Complete works (1880) : https://archive.org/details/oeuvresco...

In 1694, Historic period of Enlightenment leader Francois-Marie Arouet, known every bit Voltaire, was born in Paris. Jesuit-educated, he began writing clever verses past the age of 12. He launched a lifelong, successful playwriting career in 1718, interrupted by imprisonment in the Bastille. Upon a second imprisonment, in which Francois adopted the pen name Voltaire, he was released after agreeing to move to London. There he wrote Lettres philosophiques (1733), which galvanized French reform. The book likewise satirized the religious teachings of Rene Descartes and Blaise Pascal, including Pascal's famed "wager" on God. Voltaire wrote: "The interest I accept in assertive a thing is not a proof of the existence of that thing." Voltaire'southward French publisher was sent to the Bastille and Voltaire had to escape from Paris again, as judges sentenced the book to be "torn and burned in the Palace." Voltaire spent a at-home 16 years with his deistic mistress, Madame du Chatelet, in Lorraine. He met the 27 year former married female parent when he was 39. In his memoirs, he wrote: "I found, in 1733, a immature woman who thought as I did, and decided to spend several years in the country, cultivating her heed." He dedicated Traite de metaphysique to her. In it the Deist candidly rejected immortality and questioned conventionalities in God. Information technology was not published until the 1780s. Voltaire continued writing amusing but meaty philosophical plays and histories. After the earthquake that leveled Lisbon in 1755, in which 15,000 people perished and some other xv,000 were wounded, Voltaire wrote Poème sur le désastre de Lisbonne (Verse form on the Lisbon Disaster): "But how conceive a God supremely good/ Who heaps his favours on the sons he loves,/ Yet scatters evil with every bit large a hand?"

Voltaire purchased a chateau in Geneva, where, amongst other works, he wrote Candide (1759). To avoid Calvinist persecution, Voltaire moved across the border to Ferney, where the wealthy writer lived for eighteen years until his death. Voltaire began to openly challenge Christianity, calling it "the infamous affair." He wrote Frederick the Neat: "Christianity is the nigh ridiculous, the most absurd, and bloody faith that has always infected the world." Voltaire ended every letter of the alphabet to friends with "Ecrasez l'infame" (beat out the infamy — the Christian faith). His pamphlet, The Sermon on the L (1762) went after transubstantiation, miracles, biblical contradictions, the Jewish religion, and the Christian God. Voltaire wrote that a true god "surely cannot have been built-in of a girl, nor died on the gibbet, nor exist eaten in a piece of dough," or inspired "books, filled with contradictions, madness, and horror." He also published excerpts of Testament of the Abbe Meslier, by an atheist priest, in Kingdom of the netherlands, which advanced the Enlightenment. Voltaire's Philosophical Lexicon was published in 1764 without his name. Although the commencement edition immediately sold out, Geneva officials, followed by Dutch and Parisian, had the books burned. Information technology was published in 1769 as ii large volumes. Voltaire campaigned fiercely against civil atrocities in the name of faith, writing pamphlets and commentaries almost the barbaric execution of a Huguenot trader, who was commencement broken at the wheel, and then burned at the stake, in 1762. Voltaire's entrada for justice and restitution concluded with a posthumous retrial in 1765, during which 40 Parisian judges declared the defendant innocent. Voltaire urgently tried to save the life of Chevalier de la Barre, a 19 year old sentenced to death for irreverence for failing to remove his hat during a religious procession. In 1766, Chevalier was beheaded afterwards being tortured, then his torso was burned, forth with a re-create of Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary. Voltaire's statue at the Pantheon was melted down during Nazi occupation. D. 1778.

Voltaire (1694-1778), pseudónimo de François-

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