Praxis Filosófica (Jan 2018)

Limits of the concept of tolerance in Voltaire’s work (1760–1770)

  • Adrián Ratto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.25100/pfilosófica.v0i46.6214
Journal volume & issue
no. 46
pp. 243 – 260

Abstract

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Between 1760 and 1770, Voltaire developed a series of activities in order to defend the concept of “tolerance”. The aim of this article is to assess the extension of this concept in his writings over that decade, in light of the philosopher’s criticism of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Sentiment des citoyens(1764). His position on the issue is shown to be fraught with tensions and his writings put forth, if anything, an idea of limited tolerance which is hard to equate with his standing as the “champion of tolerance”, an image cultivated during the 18th century, which has become commonplace over time.

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