Philosophical Dictionary
by Voltaire · Dictionnaire philosophique portatif
Assigned by 1 of the 9 reading lists, catalogue entry only
- Written
- 1764
- Form
- Essay
- Language
- French
- Length
- Medium · 400 pp120 to 300 pages
- Difficulty
- Moderate2 of 5 for a first-year reader
We recommendPhilosophical Dictionary, translated by Theodore BestermanPenguin Classics, 1984A generous selection of the articles in a readable translation.
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An alphabet of short, sharp articles, from Abraham to Virtue, first published anonymously in 1764 as a pocket book and enlarged in later editions. Voltaire uses the dictionary form to attack religious intolerance, biblical literalism, superstition, torture and the abuse of authority, and to argue for toleration, natural religion and common sense. Entries on Fanaticism, Tolerance, Torture, Soul, Miracles and Liberty of Thought are among the most read. It was banned in Geneva, Paris and Rome.
No reading guide yet
The catalogue entry above is complete: the dates, the form, the themes and every program that assigns Philosophical Dictionary are verified against each program's published list.
What is missing is the part that takes real work: the summary, the key passages, and a recommended translation. The edition named below is the one most programs assign, so the buy links are useful already.
