Known as the “one of most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment”, François-Marie Arouet or Voltaire impacted political ideas by him speaking out against the French Government. Voltaire believed that the only human being that was capable of ruling over the people of France was an enlightened monarch or enlightened absolutist. Even being enlightened, he believed that the ruler should have an enlightened philosopher (like himself) to assist alongside the ruler. Voltaire did not only speak out against the government, but also against the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, and even the commoners. Voltaire described the aristocracy as “parasitic and corrupt”, while at the same time portraying the bourgeoisie as “small and ineffective” and even pointing out that the commoners were “ignorant and superstitious”. Aside from all this, his views on political government of France were mostly established around the monarchy treating everyone with
Known as the “one of most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment”, François-Marie Arouet or Voltaire impacted political ideas by him speaking out against the French Government. Voltaire believed that the only human being that was capable of ruling over the people of France was an enlightened monarch or enlightened absolutist. Even being enlightened, he believed that the ruler should have an enlightened philosopher (like himself) to assist alongside the ruler. Voltaire did not only speak out against the government, but also against the aristocracy, the bourgeoisie, and even the commoners. Voltaire described the aristocracy as “parasitic and corrupt”, while at the same time portraying the bourgeoisie as “small and ineffective” and even pointing out that the commoners were “ignorant and superstitious”. Aside from all this, his views on political government of France were mostly established around the monarchy treating everyone with