A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 01

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Voltaire, 1694-1778

Contributor:

Leigh, Oliver Herbrand Gordon

Morley, John, 1838-1923

Smollett, T. (Tobias), 1721-1771.

Fleming, William F.

Series:

The Works of Voltaire, A Contemporary Version, Vol. 5

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 01" by Voltaire is a philosophical treatise written in the 18th century. This work is a collection of critical essays and miscellaneous articles that delve into various topics, including religion, language, and society, often employing wit and satire to challenge established norms and beliefs. The book encapsulates Voltaire's sharp intelligence and his critique of dogmatism, ecclesiastic power, and the unexamined traditions of his time. The opening of this volume introduces a range of discussions, beginning with the nature of the alphabet and the letters A, B, and C. Voltaire reflects on the significance of the alphabet across cultures, exploring its origins and societal implications. He critiques the complexities and fallacies that arise from linguistic interpretations, noting how seemingly simple concepts can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Through these examinations, Voltaire sets the stage for a wider exploration of philosophical inquiries, contextualizing human knowledge within the broader scope of history and culture, all while illustrating the absurdities that often accompany reverence for tradition and authority. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Andrea Ball, Christine Bell & Marc D'Hooghe (From images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)

Notes:

Reading ease score: 65.2 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictionnaire_philosophique

Release date is 2011-03-28