Philosophy of History -- Voltaire

Have you ever wondered how different worldviews have shaped history? How dominant religious or political groups have changed the way past events have been interpreted, written, and recorded? The greatest philosophical mind to come out of the Enlightenment has tackled these very questions in his essay Philosophy of History. Voltaire attempts to reinterpret the moral, esthetic, and religious views, and the customs and practices that prevailed in ancient civilizations. His prime concern was to disprove and demolish the established notions that governed contemporary affairs, which he found to be patently ridiculous, and write with courage and conviction. In Philosophy of History, he has a philosophical look through history from different races of man to legislators who have spoken in the name of the Gods. This enthralling essay is an essential read for scholars and students of the Enlightenment. Fran ois-Marie d'Arouet, pen name Voltaire, was an eighteenth-century philosopher, writer, and activist who played a leading role in the Enlightenment. He was known for his wit, philosophical sport, and defense of civil liberties, including both freedom of religion and free trade. Born in 1694 to a well-to-do public official, Voltaire enjoyed an elite upbringing and an excellent education, and from a young age he aspired to be like his idols Moli re, Racine, and Corneille. After a brief foray in a public service career, Voltaire quickly integrated himself into the literary circles of Par