The Philosophy of Voltaire - Essential Works (ePub)

François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, was a towering figure in the Enlightenment era, renowned for his wit, satire, and critical capacity. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, Voltaire quickly rose to literary prominence with a prolific output that included plays, poetry, novels, essays, historical and scientific works, over 21,000 letters, and an estimated 2,000 books and pamphlets. A fierce advocate for civil liberties, he was an outspoken critic of religious dogma and intolerance, and his works frequently echoed the values of reason, freedom of speech, and separation of church and state. The compilation 'The Philosophy of Voltaire - Essential Works' represents an essential distillation of his thought, coursing through his various disciplines yet unified in its quest for intellectual freedom and social reform. Voltaire's style is characterized by its use of irony and wit to dissect and challenge the status quo, earning him both great admiration and controversy. His impact on literature and subsequent intellectual movements, like his role in defining the spirit of skepticism and reform of the Enlightenment, is indelible. His legacy endures not just in the breadth of his work but also in the critical ethos that continues to influence modern thought.