The Philosophers of Universal Humanity Analytical Essay by Nicky

The Philosophers of Universal Humanity
Looks at the thoughts of Voltaire, John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau on the concept of universal humanity.
# 146755 | 985 words | 6 sources | APA | 2011 | US
Published on Jan 14, 2011 in Philosophy (History) , Philosophy (History - 18th Century) , Political Science (John Locke)


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Description:

This paper explains that Voltaire constantly battled against injustice and religious bigotry, which he thought was caused by the complicity between church and state. He felt that humans are in-charge of their own fate. Next, the author looks at the John Locke's belief that the activities of humans are independent as in the laws of nature. The paper concludes by looking at Jean Jacques Rousseau who, the author writes, thought that people can learn to be self-interested and self-reliant by using their reason to resolve their individual interests with the laws of the state.

From the Paper:

"Nevertheless, nothing must be taken out of context for this was the period when the ideas of universal humanity and equality were mere not fully formed in arms and the France where Voltaire grew up in was one in which the monarchy, nobility and clergy reigned with an iron hand, maintaining the greater part of the people in a state of poverty and virtual slavery--it was an age of burning of books and imprisonment without trial if the ruling class wished to. It is no surprise that Voltaire chose not to acknowledge his own words and less of an original thinker than many of the Enlightenment thinkers."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Binga, T. (2000). Voltaire. Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from Council for Secular Humanism: http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=hall_of_fame&page=voltaire
  • Hewett, C. (2006). The Life of Voltaire. Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from The Great Debate:http://thegreatdebate.org.uk/Voltaire.html
  • Hewett, C. (2006). John Locke's Theory of Knowledge. Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from The Great Debate: http://thegreatdebate.org.uk/LockeEpistem.html
  • Human Nature (n. d.). Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from Absolute Astronomy: Exploring the Universe of Knowledge: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Human_nature
  • Voltaire (2008). Retrieved on March 19, 2009, from New World Encyclopedia: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Voltaire

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

The Philosophers of Universal Humanity (2011, January 14) Retrieved March 25, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/the-philosophers-of-universal-humanity-146755/

MLA Format

"The Philosophers of Universal Humanity" 14 January 2011. Web. 25 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/the-philosophers-of-universal-humanity-146755/>

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