However, education was advertised as important to every individual of the lowest class to the highest ranked official in the highest class. Since a proper education came at a cost, most educated individuals came from the elite upper class. Candide’s education was one of a wealthy child who had been provided with a proper education. As the nephew of the Baron, he was given a tutor and mentor named Master Pangloss. The privilege of this formal education from Pangloss reflected the encouragement of a proper education of an individual. Pangloss, a metaphysician, taught Candide the belief of a cause and its effect. Candide was educated on philosophical thinking and his knowledge of philosophy becomes apparent throughout the book. The education and interest of philosophy through Candide reflects the interest and popularization of philosophy in the Enlightenment specifically through the Philosophes. The Philosophes were French philosophers who popularized the Enlightenment through their …show more content…
Logic and reason became the go-to when explaining the purpose of life, or the purpose of why things work, and other theories. Logic became the framework for the idea that there is a cause and its effect. Candide’s advocation in cause and effect occurs often within the satire. Reason in the Enlightenment also related to justice and that an action may result in a consequence. Marquis di Beccaria wrote On Crimes and Punishment to relay the concept of reason and equality before the law. His beliefs parallel to Candide when Candide believes a dutch pirate’s ship is deservingly sunk. “You see… that vice is sometimes punished. This villain, the Dutch skipper, has met with the fate he deserved.” Candide’s observation of justice results in his opinion that justice is administered in the world. His opinion corresponds to di Beccaria’s beliefs on crime in society.
Through Voltaire’s Candide, the Enlightenment ideals are displayed and paralleled through his encounters. These ideals are portrayed through Candide’s formal education and knowledge of philosophy, reflecting the beliefs of the Philosophes. Also, the ideal of human nature as good or evil was depicted through Martin and Candide’s opinions. Last, logic and reason were represented through justice throughout the book and Candide’s belief in a world of cause and