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Candide, By Voltaire And Optimism

Decent Essays

Candide or “Optimism” is one of the works of Voltaire. This novella mainly satirizes philosophical optimism, which is a belief that everything in the world is done for a reason, and this world was created by a perfect God therefore, it must be perfect. The novel’s protagonist, Candide and his tutor Dr. Pangloss, think ‘’everything is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.’’ Candide looks to Dr. Pangloss in times of need and question. In the novel when something tragic happens Candide looks to Pangloss to explain why the tragedy has occurred. ‘’He proved incontestably that there is no effect without cause, and that in this best of all possible worlds, his lordship’s country seat was the most beautiful of mansions and her ladyship the best of all possible ladyships’’ (Voltaire, 20). This idea was supported by many enlightenment thinkers but the philosphys main influence came from the philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz. Voltaire did not agree with this philosophy, hence, he created a brutal satire of optimism in Candide. This is clearly demonstrated through Candide’s suffering and Dr. Pangloss’s philosophical speeches throughout the novel; Voltaire also uses the true events …show more content…

Pangloss, an exaggerated allusion of the actual philosopher and the main supporter of philosophical optimism. In serious situations Pangloss often unhelpfully analyzes the situations. (SparkNotes, O.S.). For instance, when James the Anabaptist drowns, Pangloss tries to find a way to analyze the situation and it isn’t helpful When James the Anabaptist drowns, tries to find a way to analyze the situation and it isn’t helpful. “He wanted to throw himself in the sea after the Anabaptist, but the great philosopher, Pangloss, stopped him by proving that Lisbon harbour was made on purpose for this Anabaptist to drown there” (Voltaire, 33). Pangloss’s attempts clearly show Voltaire’s contempt for philosophical

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