USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Chief among their desired reforms was intellectual freedom-the freedom to use one’s own reason and to publish the results. The philosophes wanted freedom of the press and freedom of religion, which they considered “natural rights” guaranteed by “natural law.” In their view, progress depended on these freedoms.

Detailed explanation-2: -Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and separation of church and state. Voltaire was a versatile and prolific writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, histories, and scientific expositions.

Detailed explanation-3: -of the philosophes was François-Marie Arouet, who took the name Voltaire. “My trade, ” said Voltaire, “is to say what I think, ” and he did so throughout his long, controversial life. Voltaire used biting wit as a weapon to expose the abuses of his day. He targeted corrupt officials and idle aristocrats.

Detailed explanation-4: -His most famous works included the fictitious Lettres philosophiques (1734) and the satirical novel Candide (1759). The former-a series of essays on English government and society-was a landmark in the history of thought. Today it is considered one of the great monuments of French literature.