Candide
By VoltaireVoltaire
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
Questions
- how serious is this work?
- why is there evil and suffering?
- is it b/c God's not good?
- why was Candide banned widely by the church?
Summary
Candide lived a happy life in a nice estate under the tutelage of the fine philosopher Pangloss, until he was kicked out for loving the daughter of the house, Cunegonde. Then he was kidnapped and forced to fight in the army. During the war, Cunegonde and her brother were killed, according to Pangloss, who escaped. However, Pangloss was soon burned as a heretic and shortly afterward Candide was reunited with the not-dead Cunegonde. Other adventures included having Cunegonde taken by the governor of Buenos Aires, Candide killing Cunegonde’s brother and almost getting killed by cannibals himself, then discovering the best place in the world, El Dorado. However, he was not happy there because Cunegonde wasn’t there. So, he went to find her. Eventually, he did find her, and her brother (who he didn’t actually kill) and Pangloss (who apparently wasn’t actually burned) and Candide married Cunegonde.