Preview of Candide- A Contrast To Optimism:

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Candide- A Contrast to Optimism


Francis Marie Arouet de Voltaire was the French author of the novella Candide, also known as ?Optimism?(Durant and Durant 724). Many of Voltaire?s works were popular in Europe during his time, yet it is his satire, Candide, which is still studied today. In Candide, Voltaire sought to point out the fallacy of Gottfried William von Leibniz?s philosophy by criticizing worldly superiority, the theory of optimism, and the brutality of war.
Leibniz theorized that God, having the ability to pick from an infinite number of worlds, chose this world, ?the best of all possible worlds?(18). To dispute that contention, Voltaire created Martin. Martin was the quintessential pessimist, and Candide?s trusted friend and advisor. Martin continuously tried to prove to Candide that there is little virtue, morality and happiness in the world. When a cheerful couple was seen walking and singing, Candide told Martin, ?At least you must admit that these people are happy?(94). Martin quickly replied, ?I wager they are not?(94). The only basis Martin had for his judgment was the sight of two outwardly content people, yet somehow he was compelled to characterize them as unhappy. Martin?s pessimistic outlook on life is the antithesis of Leibniz?s theory that this world is the best. The evil that Martin perceived blinded him from the good that existed in the world. The land of Eldorado was the realization of Leibniz?s theory that this world is the best. In referen... [to view the full essay now, purchase below]

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