Objectives
- Analyze the ideas of Hobbes and Locke
- Evaluate Voltaire's argument for religious toleration
Agenda
- Warm-Up #17: List two ideas that were encouraged by the Scientific Revolution & the Enlightenment.
- Hand out review sheet - Test on Wednesday
- Finish Catherine the Great
- Notes: Political Philosophy of the Enlightenment
- The State of Nature
- Hobbes / Locke
- Montesquieu
- Voltaire
- Primary Source: Voltaire's Treatise on Toleration
- Introduction
- Your book says Voltaire was a Deist. Why does the introduction of this piece suggest that might not be accurate?
- Usefulness of Religion
- In his first two paragraphs he offers a defense of religion. Summarize that defense.
- Assume, for a moment, that Voltaire didn't actually believe this defense of false religion. Why might he have written it anyway?
- What damage has superstition done "in history" according to Voltaire?
- He suggests France has been Enlightened. During his time, what beliefs does he cite as common knowledge among the educated? (page 2)
- What would Voltaire call government officials who would try and restrict their scientific beliefs based on religious values? (page 2)
- What is the most dangerous superstition, according to Voltaire? (page 2)
- Virtue is Better Than Science
- Define the word "dogma"
- Why does Voltaire oppose dogmas?
- Voltaire argues for freedom of belief at the end of this section. How does he explain that the government cannot restrict it?
- On Universal Tolerance
- How should we regard all men?
- Class Discussion
- Evaluate Voltaire's Defense of Religion
- Why does Voltaire think it's crazy to try and coerce belief?
- Why is dogma dangerous?
- Explain Voltaire's "Story of Religion"
