Candide Group

Question:

lauren5387
lauren5387
Student
College - Senior

Do you believe that Pangloss' way of viewing the events of the world as predetermined by God is a realistic way to live your life? 

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Posted by lauren5387 on Monday September 14, 2009 at 10:45 PM and tagged with a predetermined world, candide.

Answers:

  1. writergal06
    writergal06 Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    There are a few different implications in the question that you asked. Looking first at the goal of the literature, I think that Voltaire was warning against having the radical perspective that Pangloss carried. Pangloss did not simply believe that all things were predetermined by God; he also believed that everything that happened was the best possible outcome. Voltaire shows the folly in this viewpoint of the world. Voltaire shows the evil nature of man, and how man's actions keep the world from being the best of all possible worlds.

    The other implication in your question seems to be one of personal belief about God and His interaction with the world. I personally belief that God knows everything and his all powerful, is involved with man in a personal way, and lets man decided whether or not he is going to follow His will. You can believe in God's Sovereignty and control without ignoring man's inherent evil nature, which seems to be what Voltaire is pointing out.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/candide

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    Posted by writergal06 on Tuesday September 15, 2009 at 5:06 AM