Why did Voltaire regard toleration as a virtue and intolerance as a vice?
Voltaire's essay on toleration is a witty, ironic and sometimes satirical piece which uses logic and common sense, and a multitude of examples from ancient history and more modern history, to demonstrate and argue that toleration is a virtue and intolerance is a vice. Voltaire's wit is often conveyed by his disingenuous, straight-faced account of earlier stories about the persecution of early Christian martyrs – accounts which he mocks as fantastical superstitions – superstitions which his argues show that not only is intolerance a vice, but that it is an old-fashioned habit of human behavior which should be eschewed by modern, developed society. His historical scope is wide as is his geographical and cultural sense: he frequently refers to non-European countries in order to show that sectarian fanaticism and intra-Christian violence is a largely European phenomenon. His knowledge of the world and his knowledge of the past impart to the essay a confidence in the benefits of reason, logic and common sense.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Voltaire's Philosophy on Toleration
2. The Case of Jean Calas and the Critique of Sectarian Violence
3. Modernity, Reason, and Economic Stability
4. Global Perspectives and the Pragmatic Critique of Intolerance
5. Historical Analysis: Greeks, Romans, and Early Christian Martyrs
6. Biblical Interpretation and the Defense of Public Order
7. Prayer to God as a Coda to Enlightenment Values
Objectives and Themes
This work examines Voltaire's arguments in "On Toleration" and "Prayer to God," focusing on his philosophical justification for viewing religious toleration as a modern virtue and intolerance as a destructive vice that undermines the state.
- The role of reason, logic, and common sense in governance.
- The socio-economic dangers of religious fanaticism and civil unrest.
- A historical and global critique of sectarian violence across cultures.
- The distinction between state security and private religious conviction.
- The pursuit of humanism and universal brotherhood against dogma.
Excerpt from the Book
The Case for Tolerance as a Modern Social Necessity
Voltaire sees tolerance as a virtue because he recognizes that all citizens, regardless of their religious convictions, “contribute alike to the good of the social body (21). By this piece he seems to me to mean that if all citizens obey the law, pay their taxes, and contribute in economic and social time terms to the stability of the state, then their precise religious affiliation is irrelevant. Fanaticism, on the other hand, leads to civil unrest and a waste of national resources.
He uses evidence from the Ottoman Empire from India, Persia, Russia and China to show that European intolerance not only causes terrible deaths and wars, but also differs from the toleration shown by non-European societies to those of slightly different religious beliefs. This is a powerful point: the 18th century was the period of the European Enlightenment and European science and technology were vastly advanced compared with other parts of the world; Europeans would therefore have seen themselves, rather complacently, as superior to less developed areas of the world. However, Voltaire seeks to prove that freedom of conscience is tolerated and has been tolerated for many centuries in non-European cultures.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Voltaire's Philosophy on Toleration: This section establishes the foundational argument that Voltaire utilizes wit and irony to dismantle religious intolerance.
2. The Case of Jean Calas and the Critique of Sectarian Violence: Discusses the judicial murder of Jean Calas as the catalyst for Voltaire’s broader condemnation of provincial fanaticism.
3. Modernity, Reason, and Economic Stability: Analyzes how Voltaire links the prosperity of a state to the ability of citizens of various faiths to coexist and work industriously.
4. Global Perspectives and the Pragmatic Critique of Intolerance: Examines Voltaire’s use of non-European examples to highlight that tolerance is not merely an Enlightenment innovation but a functional, global practice.
5. Historical Analysis: Greeks, Romans, and Early Christian Martyrs: Challenges traditional church narratives regarding the persecution of early Christians by Roman authorities.
6. Biblical Interpretation and the Defense of Public Order: Investigates how Voltaire reframes theological discourse to prioritize secular public order over religious dogma.
7. Prayer to God as a Coda to Enlightenment Values: Summarizes the emotional and ethical conclusion of the work, emphasizing universal brotherhood over sectarian division.
Keywords
Voltaire, Toleration, Enlightenment, Reason, Sectarian Violence, Humanism, Jean Calas, Religious Fanaticism, Civil Unrest, Logic, Modernity, Liberty of Conscience, Secularism, Social Stability, History.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core argument of this work?
The work explores Voltaire’s assertion that religious toleration is a rational, modern virtue, whereas intolerance is an archaic, destructive habit that harms the economic and social fabric of the state.
Which thematic areas does the text emphasize?
The central themes include the utility of reason, the detrimental economic impacts of fanaticism, the historical context of Roman tolerance, and the plea for universal human brotherhood.
What is the primary research question?
The text seeks to understand why Voltaire viewed toleration as an essential virtue and how he framed the dangers of religious intolerance in the context of the 18th-century state.
Which methodology does the author use?
The author employs a comparative analytical approach, drawing on historical examples, biblical criticism, and empirical observations of European versus non-European societal structures.
What is covered in the main body?
The main body investigates the judicial murder of Jean Calas, the economic benefits of a tolerant society, historical misinterpretations of Roman history, and a critique of ecclesiastical authority.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Enlightenment, Toleration, Reason, Religious Fanaticism, Secularism, and Social Stability.
How does Voltaire justify his claim that intolerance is "old-fashioned"?
He contrasts European sectarian wars with the historical observations of ancient Roman society and contemporary non-European cultures, portraying European religious violence as an unnecessary, barbaric relic.
What role does the "Prayer to God" play in the text?
It functions as a heartfelt emotional conclusion that reinforces the intellectual arguments of the essay by calling for peace and focusing on the common humanity that transcends religious differences.
- Quote paper
- David Wheeler (Author), 2012, “On Toleration” and “Prayer to God” - Voltaire: An Exploration, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/193291
