Traité sur la tolérance

Name: Traité sur la tolérance
Author: Voltaire

By Voltaire

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French Literature History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)Philosophy & Ethics Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

The work opens with an account of the arrest, trial, and execution of an innocent Protestant merchant whose son's suicide was misread as religious murder, then uses the case to examine intolerance in law, religion, and society. It surveys historical and scriptural claims about intolerance among Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians, critiques persecutory practices and false legends, considers legal reform and limited exceptions for coercion, compares debates in other cultures, defends universal tolerance and virtue over superstition, and concludes with a plea for legal and moral change culminating in a prayerful appeal and postscript.

About the Author

Voltaire

Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet in 1694, was a prominent French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher known for his wit and advocacy of civil liberties. His works often challenged the established norms of society and religion, making him a key figure in the development of modern thought. Among his most notable works is "Candide," a satirical novella that critiques optimism and explores the nature of human suffering. Voltaire's extensive writings, including his multi-volume "A Philosophical Dictionary," reflect his commitment to reason, tolerance, and freedom of expression, leaving a lasting impact on literature and philosophy.