The Importance of Voltaire and Rousseau
Voltaire and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were two of the most influential thinkers of the 18th Century, shaping the knowledge produced by the Enlightenment era. They had a shared passion for reason, individual freedom and progress. Yet, their philosophies did not match – from politics, religion and human nature, Voltaire and Rousseau often locked horns in their work.
Understanding the dynamics of the pair reveals a lot about enlightenment thought. In this article, we will explore who they were, their core ideas and their relationship, bringing us to an understanding of the battle between the two.
Who Was Voltaire?
Voltaire (1694-1778) was a French writer, philosopher and critic of political and religious tyranny. Born François-Marie Arouet, he was known for his wit and satire in his criticisms of politics. His advocacy of civil liberties (rights established only for the good of the collective) led him to become a central figure in Enlightenment thought.
Key Beliefs:
- Voltaire believed in freedom of speech, religion and the press.
- He criticised institutionalised religion (the Catholic Church).
- Voltaire supported the constitutional monarchy (a monarch sharing power with a government) such as earlier versions of UK governance.
- He believed in rational progress and scientific enquiry.
His most famous works include Candide, a satirical novel that critiques blind optimism, and Philosophical Letters – a text that praises UK religious tolerance and political liberty.
Who Was Jean-Jacques Rousseau?
Rousseau (1712-1778) similarly focused on philosophy and writing, influencing political theory, education and romanticism. Unlike Voltaire, however, he was concerned with emotion, nature and how civilisation corrupts the individual.
Key Beliefs:
- Rousseau argued that we were born free, but are chained by society (the Social Contract).
- He believed in direct democracy (the citizen getting to vote for policies, rather than it being done on their behalf).
- Rousseau thought that private property was the source of societal injustice.
- He advocated for natural education – children should be raised in nature to be able to fend for themselves, not fuel the state.
His works, particularly the Social Contract, but also Discourse on Inequality and Emile laid the foundations for future political insight.
Voltaire and Rousseau – Their Differences and Relationship
Despite their work coming from the same period, Voltaire and Rousseau could not have been more different. They often clashed, personally and in their philosophy.
Religion
Voltaire strongly criticised organised religion – he believed in a rational, non-intervening God.
Rousseau embraced a more emotional and personal view of God – he believed that He looked out for everyone individually.
Human Nature
Voltaire saw humans to be flawed – needing reason and civilisation to improve them.
Rousseau instead believed humans were good by nature. He saw that civilisation was what corrupted them.
Political Thought
Voltaire supported the monarchy, provided they were guided by reason.
Rousseau saw that direct and participation democracy (and restructuring society) was the only way for a fair political world.
Voltaire and Rousseau on Civilisation
Voltaire argued that civilisation was a work of intellectual refinement, where arts and science were to be celebrated.
Rousseau, by contrast, saw these as sources of inequality – merely a distraction from seeking virtue.
Though they originally respected each other, Voltaire and Rousseau’s relationship turned sour. Their letters to one another grew hostile, mocking and accusing one another of insincerity. Their rivalry represented the philosophical struggles of the Enlightenment – a divided time, with many polar viewpoints.
The Legacy of Voltaire and Rousseau
Voltaire influenced modern political reforms and Liberal democracy – electing representatives by public support to make decisions on their behalf. He inspired figures such as Thomas Jefferson – ultimately playing a part in the French revolutions. He laid the path for scientific rationalism (reason and logic being the tools for understanding the world.
Rousseau, by contrast, influenced social justice and progressive education. He influenced Marxist (socialist) thought and romanticism. There is not a Politics class in this world today that does not discuss the Social Contract – one of the most significant texts in political thought.
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