Know Thyself Post #50

Know Thyself through PHILOSOPHY:

Have you heard of Voltaire?

Voltaire is a fascinating guy worth checking out, I will attempt to tempt you into learning more about him in a post-sized nutshell: François-Marie Arouet, aka, Voltaire, was a French philosopher/writer/historian during the Age of Enlightenment (late 17th – early 19th century), known for: hating slavery, Christianity, Rousseau, and, the suppression of free thought. He was arrested and thrown into the Bastille for accusing a French prince of incest in a satirical verse, exiled for challenging a rich guy to a duel (whom consequently wussed out, didn’t show and paid for/had Voltaire arrested), and. wrote a book that praised the government of England over that of France (a book which was thereby, publicly burned and banned). He did science experiments with his lover, (whose husband sometimes stayed with them in their chateau), was pro-Free Speech, not afraid to criticize authority, and, wrote a science fiction novel called Micromégas in 1751 that is worth the read/listen, in my opinion.

According to the Philisophical Dictionary: English Conversationalist about religion Voltaire said:

….let us be just and do good,  THAT, is the essential point.

That’s the end to every argument.

Let intolerant barbarians be execrated by mankind, and let everybody think as he likes.

-Voltaire

• Do you agree with Voltaire’s ‘essential point’ to life?
  • If yes, why and what does it mean to YOU?
  • If no, what would YOU replace ‘be just and do good with?’

Last Updated on 08/13/2025 by Death of Hypatia Inc.