Pangloss's emblem of Philosophical Optimism

Pangloss's Brand of Philosophical Optimism

Pangloss's Brand of Philosophical Optimism

Question 1: Voltaire ridicules it so much in Candide?

Voltaire satirically critiques societal organizations, Leibniz's beliefs, and human practices and folly. There are two centered ideas bound up with Voltaire's critique. (Trevor Mason 1992)One is case exact, and one is inherent in the concept of critique. First, inherent in the concept of critique, is that the detractor points out what is wrong so that enhancement can be made. In this case, it is not too much to assume that Voltaire wanted to show persons how silly some of their activities were, and, in so doing, get them to joke at themselves and change. However, this very idea of critique would appear to say that departing things as they are, not interrogating or reasoning, or portraying to change things, would lead to a continuation of the very practices the detractor hunts for to change. (Trevor Mason 1992)

Question 2: “Cultivate one's Garden” meaning?

Candide's injunction to “cultivate our flower bed” may be interpreted as a call to each individual person to act according to their individuality, and, in so doing, avoid vice, boredom, and need, three primary things which are inclined to begat evil. In this way, possibly Candide is an sign of the “bourgeois” virtues of the Enlightenment, virtues which Voltaire would certainly have ascribed to. (Trevor Mason 1992)

Question 3: Use of satire in Swift's "Modest Proposal”?

Jonathan Swift's masterful satire "A Modest suggestion" suggests to solve the devastating scarcity in Ireland by selling poor young kids as nourishment for rich families. Swift proceeds on to explain how this would explain all of Ireland's difficulties from household abuse to poverty. Swift's Projector explains his proposal in depth, in many ways treating these children as nothing more than a new type of ...