Ransford Advanced Diploma course in Political Ideologies

Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet (1694-1778), was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and historian famous for his wit, his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state.  He was a prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. One of Voltaire's most famous works is the satirical novel "Candide" (1759), which satirizes optimism, religious doctrine, and various philosophical beliefs of the time.  In "Candide," Voltaire criticizes the idea that we live in the best of all possible worlds, highlighting the absurdity and cruelty of the world through the misadventures of the main character, Candide. Voltaire was a strong advocate for freedom of speech and expression. He famously wrote, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it,"...