Best of all possible worlds

dilemmas that challenge their ideas of positivity and moral. The Story of Candide, written by Voltaire illustrates those challenges as the main protagonist Candide stumbles upon various figures and misfortunes that illustrates the flaws in optimism. Seeing that optimism is focused on hope and happiness, Voltaire purposely places Candide in scenarios where he faces tragedy, but continues to believe that all is for the best. Voltaire makes it clear that his work on Candide is nothing more than a parody, rather ask the question how can an individual justify tragedies with optimism? To understand Voltaire’s reflection of optimism in Candide stems from a real world tragedy. In November 1, 1755 a devastating earthquake hit Lisbon, Portugal; “the devastating effects of the earthquake were felt throughout the city. Close to the coast, a 20-foot tsunami rushed ashore and killed thousands” (history.com). The story of Candide was written in response to the tragedy and how it impacted him. Voltaire mirrors this event…

The story successfully challenges metaphysical optimism, the belief that “we live in the best of all possible worlds” and illustrates its dangers and ridiculousness through the use of various satirical elements such as exaggeration, irony, and ridicule. Voltaire first challenges metaphysical optimism through the use of satire when Candide persists in its belief, despite being forced to run the gauntlet. Candide states that “everything is linked by necessity and arranged for the best. It was…

conditions by applying rational thoughts to natural happenings. Voltaire depicted the ideas of the Enlightenment but was satirized into his novella, Candide. Through his novella Candide, Voltaire added his personal thoughts by criticizing the nobility, philosophies, the church, and the cruelty. Voltaire attacks the idea of optimism. Candide is a story about a young man’s adventures throughout the world, where he witnesses evil and disasters. Throughout…

cannot possibly be an effect without a cause and that in this best of all possible worlds the Baron’s castle was the best of all castles and his wife the best of all possible Baronesses. It is clear, said he, that things cannot be otherwise than they are, for since everything is made to serve an end, everything necessarily serves the best end. Observe: noses were made to support spectacle, hence we have spectacles. Legs, as anyone can plainly see, were made to be breeched,…

In one example, Candide doubted the theory stating that, “If this is the best of all possible worlds, then what must the others be like?” however, he quickly pushed those doubts to the back of his mind when he got lucky. This not only makes Candide look pathetic and naïve, but it shows a glaring truth to people already in Candide’s position: especially those following religion aimlessly. In reality, disasters can strengthen ones beliefs, but they are more likely to destroy or weaken them because…

optimism; there are many instances that indicate this in the text, especially surrounding the Eldorado episode. Optimism is the idea that God created the “best of all possible worlds” (Leibniz 228), and that the presence of evil is not something that God cooperates in but is something that God merely permits and directs at good (183). He makes the assumption that “we have no need of revealed faith to know that there is such a sole principle of things…

Pangloss’s philosophy about life stated that, “things cannot be otherwise: for, since everything was made for a purpose, everything is necessarily for the best purpose” (Voltaire, pg. 18). Pangloss, too becomes familiar with the outside world, but maintains an optimism towards life that blinds him of reality. Pangloss was nearly hanged, imprisoned, beaten, and close to being dissected, but even after all of those events Pangloss still believed that everything was for the best in this world.…

As people, we all have responsibilities that need taking care of. People have to get jobs to have some sort of income to support their wellbeing. Voltaire is really big about doing things for oneself. He feels that depending on others is a burden. He shows this concept all throughout his story with his character Candide. It did not matter what Candide was faced with because he always finds a way to survive. Not only did he find a way to survive, he accepted everything that happened to him.…

Freedom of Man, and the Origin of Evil, Leibniz discusses the idea that we live in the “best of all possible worlds”. Because God would have chosen to create the best of all possible universes. In his Discourse on Metaphysics, Leibniz explains that God “acts in the most perfect manner”. In Leibniz’s La Monadologie, He states that the number of possible universes in God’s imagination is infinite. Since only one of them can exist, there must be a good reason…

Utopian Place Equals Dystopian World In Candide, written by Voltaire, is a story where the words "All is for the best," are often repeated by the protagonist, Candide. Among his misadventures that proves that quote wrong, he comes across a city called El Dorado. This city is seemingly a utopia lacking conflict, but all is not as it seems in the utopia. J. Robert Oppenheimer once said “The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist fears it is true.” This book agrees…