Author Bio: Voltaire (1694-1778), a French philosopher, is considered to be the epitome of a philosopher of the Enlightenment. He wrote a myriad of literature, including histories, novels, drama, and satires. His writing style derives from his natural wit and his intellectual maturity. He strongly opposed organized religion and absolutism, but he promoted religious tolerance and the idea of "deism," which is the rejection of organized religion but he belief in the existence of God. He also traveled around western Europe and adopted the ideas of other philosophers and scientists at the time, such as John Locke and Sir Isaac Newton.
Speaker: See above
Data/Context: The document provided is from one of Voltaire's most famous works, Treatise on Toleration. The main focus of this literature is promotion of tolerance between religions. He especially targets the harsh fanaticism of the Jesuit Society and their superstitions around religion.
Summary: Voltaire starts out by stating the obvious: Christians ought to be able to tolerate one another. He basically compares us to ants and and satirically implies that it is wrong to say “my ant-hill is alone cherished by god.” His basic and most important message is that all men are brothers made by a Deity and we should all join together in peace, worship, and praise as opposed to hatred.
Key Quote: "May all men remember that they are brethren! May they alike abhor that tyranny which seeks to subject the freedom of the will, as they do the rapine which tears from the arms of industry the fruits of its peaceful labors!"
Good job!
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