James's working notes from Western Civ class

Table of Contents

Voltaire

  • Voltaire was responding to philosophers, Kant, in writing Voltaire, Candide
  • did he have a positive philosophy?
    • what is the good, τελος?
  • what was Voltaire saying about El Dorado?
    • some highly unrealistic elements a/b it
    • everyone had the same things; Candide wanted to be special, richer than others
    • Candide left a tolerable situation to go find Candide, and ended more miserable than otherwise