Voltaire
Instead of a dialectic within an article, I've chosen an article that
argues against another article. Voltaire, then, doesn't agree with
Leibniz (who we will read in class on Tuesday). The style of Voltaire's
writing is unique in our class. He writes in the form of a satire; that
is, he mockingly represents Leibniz's position as absurd in a largely fictional
story. But the story is based on many of the disgusting and terrible
things that really happened during the eighteenth century. You will
notice that Voltaire doesn't take aim at just Leibniz, but he also knocks
philosophers in general, politics, law, organized religion, women, to name
a few. Can you find all these references?
Throughout the story, Voltaire makes a mockery of Leibniz's theory. To
help you identify these allusions, I've summarized some key points to Leibniz's
theory:
sufficient reason: the reason why something exists; for example, the sufficient
reason for evil is its bringing about a greater good
cause and effect: Leibniz believed in determinism, the belief that everything,
even human actions, had some cause (sufficient reason)
free will: despite Leibniz's belief in determinism, he believed in free
will, its just that whatever you chose freely had some cause (sound fishy?)
Homework Assignment (changes from last week in italics)
Summarize the story. Try to ensure that you hit all the
major story changes. I have ten points on my checklist. You
get a point for each major point on my list you mention. Suggestion:
use the full page length (but rememeber the guidelines I gave you in the
syllabus).
