On the Soul

· The Collected Works of Voltaire Libro 2 · Marchen Verlag
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Disguised as a long-lost treatise by an ancient Roman physician, Voltaire’s On the Soul sneaks into forbidden territory to ask: what is the soul, and can science or philosophy pin down its nature? In this daring little work from 1774, Voltaire operates in masquerade, using wit and classical erudition to probe one of humanity’s oldest mysteries with a skeptic’s eye and a humanist’s hope.

Written around 1774, On the Soul is Voltaire’s incisive foray into the realm of metaphysics and the philosophy of mind – topics as contentious in the 18th century as they are timeless. Acknowledging the sensitivity of questioning the soul’s nature, Voltaire published this piece under a pseudonym, adopting the persona “Soranus, physician to Emperor Trajan,” as the supposed author. This clever frame allowed him to explore ideas that might otherwise have invited censure: by hiding behind the voice of a learned Roman doctor, Voltaire could dissect religious and philosophical doctrines about the soul with clinical detachment and a touch of historical whimsy. The text itself reads as a learned discussion, often addressing the reader as though presenting empirical observations and stoic reflections from antiquity. Voltaire (as “Soranus”) examines whether the soul is an immortal, immaterial essence or simply the result of physical processes – a debate that in his day pitted theologians against materialist philosophers.

This modern Critical Reader’s Edition includes an illuminating afterword tracing Voltaire’s intellectual relationships with Enlightenment thinkers and philosophers (including Locke, Diderot, Rousseau and Newton), containing unique research into his influences and economic attachments, a comprehensive timeline of his life and works, a glossary of Enlightenment terminology, and a detailed index of all of Voltaire’s writings. This unique professional translation renders Voltaire’s sharp, satirical prose into modern language to preserve the original clarity and movement of the text. Combined with the scholarly amplifying material, this edition is a groundbreaking exploration of Voltaire’s classic works and his enduring artistic and philosophical influence, and influence on modern Protestant-Atheistic Theology.

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Voltaire (1694-1778), born François-Marie Arouet, was a towering figure in the European Enlightenment, renowned for his wit, satirical genius, and fierce advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade. Born on November 21, 1694, in Paris, Voltaire was educated by the Jesuits at the Collège Louis-le-Grand, where he demonstrated an early talent in literature and theater. Despite a brief stint studying law, he devoted himself to writing, rapidly gaining fame for his sharp wit and eloquence. Voltaire's literary career was marked by numerous conflicts with French authorities, leading to periods of imprisonment and exile. His most famous stay at the Bastille prison was due to his satirical verse, which mocked the French Regent. This propensity for critique often saw him in conflict with the establishment, but it also earned him a reputation as a champion of the oppressed and a critic of religious and political dogma, including the Atheistic dogmatism of the French Revolution.

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