Possible world

have created a possible world of looking at things from a scientific window where they believe it is based on facts and evidence and religion is not. These two possibility of worlds of religion and science are related to Alison Gopnik’s essay, “Possible Worlds: Why Do Children Pretend?” Gopnik speaks of the possible worlds people create with their own mind and counterfactual thoughts. She studied children can think counterfactually of the past or future can create a possible world. Gopnik also…

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…

and Unnatural Text Worlds in The Five People You Meet in Heaven’ In order to understand and conceptualise all language we encounter, we construct mental representations. These representations; known as text worlds, may be shaped differently depending on the individual, but are a part of how all linguistically adequate people process language. It is these text worlds and how humans make sense of them that is the underlying focus of what has been coined; Text World Theory. Text World Theory is a…

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:…

These circumstances reveal that the metaphysical optimism that his mentor, Pangloss has taught him is incorrect, through hardship after hardship. 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…

throughout the world, where he witnesses evil and disasters. Throughout…

Candide and Cunégonde: “Pangloss gave instruction in metaphysico-theologico-cosmoloonigology. He proved admirably that there 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…

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…

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. Reality did not shake his philosophical views. In the second to last chapter of the novel, Pangloss says, “I still…

The Message behind Candide In the story Candide, written by Voltaire, there are several lessons that are meant to be learned. Voltaire’s satirical approach entices the reader to want to continue reading the story, find out what happens next, and really try to read between the lines for the deeper meaning. He makes a major point with his statement, “Cultivate your garden.” Those three powerful words combine together in response to the apathy or lack of concern created by philosophical optimism…