Voltaire: The Militant Reason by Maria das Graças S. do Nascimento

A Biography of the Enlightenment's Most Outspoken Advocate

Voltaire: The Militant Reason is a comprehensive and engaging biography of one of the most influential figures of the Enlightenment. Maria das Graças S. do Nascimento paints a vivid portrait of Voltaire, from his early years as a precocious student to his rise to fame as a writer, philosopher, and social critic.

Voltaire's Early Life and Education

Voltaire was born François-Marie Arouet in Paris in 1694. He showed a talent for writing at an early age, and he was educated at the prestigious Collège Louis-le-Grand. There, he came into contact with the ideas of the Enlightenment, which would shape his thinking for the rest of his life.

Voltaire's Literary Career

Voltaire began his literary career as a playwright, and he quickly gained a reputation for his wit and satire. His plays often poked fun at the aristocracy and the clergy, and they were often banned by the French government. However, Voltaire's popularity continued to grow, and he soon became one of the most famous writers in Europe.

Voltaire's Philosophical Ideas

Voltaire was a prolific writer, and he produced works on a wide range of topics, including philosophy, history, religion, and politics. He was a staunch defender of freedom of speech and religious tolerance, and he argued that reason should be the guiding force in human affairs. Voltaire's ideas were controversial, but they were also influential, and they helped to shape the course of the Enlightenment.

Voltaire's Social and Political Activism

Voltaire was not only a writer, but he was also a social and political activist. He was a vocal critic of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church, and he campaigned for social justice and reform. Voltaire's activism often landed him in trouble with the authorities, and he was forced to spend time in exile. However, he never gave up his fight for what he believed in, and he continued to write and speak out against injustice until his death in 1778.

Voltaire's Legacy

Voltaire is considered one of the most important figures of the Enlightenment, and his work has had a profound impact on Western thought. He was a brilliant writer, a fearless philosopher, and a tireless advocate for social justice. Voltaire's legacy continues to inspire people around the world to fight for freedom, reason, and tolerance.

Why You Should Read Voltaire: The Militant Reason

Voltaire: The Militant Reason is a must-read for anyone interested in the Enlightenment, French history, or the history of ideas. Maria das Graças S. do Nascimento's biography is a comprehensive and engaging account of Voltaire's life and work, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into one of the most important periods in human history.

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