Will Durant---The Philosophy of Voltaire

Will Durant---The Philosophy of Voltaire
Join us for an enlightening exploration of Voltaire's philosophy, guided by the wisdom of Will Durant. In this engaging video, Durant delves into the life, ideas, and enduring impact of Voltaire, a towering figure of the Enlightenment who championed reason, tolerance, and freedom of thought.
🔍 What You'll Discover:
The Life of Voltaire: Gain insights into the life and background of Voltaire, understanding the pivotal moments that shaped his role as a philosopher, writer, and advocate for change.
Voltaire's Enlightenment Ideals: Explore Voltaire's commitment to Enlightenment values, including reason, secularism, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Freedom of Expression: Delve into Voltaire's defense of free speech and his famous declaration, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Candide and Philosophical Works: Understand the significance of Voltaire's satirical novella "Candide" and his broader contributions to philosophy through his essays, letters, and plays.
Critique of Religion: Explore Voltaire's critiques of organized religion, superstition, and his advocacy for religious tolerance.
Influence on Modern Thought: Durant examines Voltaire's lasting impact on the development of modern Western thought and his role in shaping the principles of democracy and human rights.

[@j.dunlop8295]

Voltaire, was highly known for his positive, upbeat attitude. He said, "Everyday you can make up your mind, to be happy or sad, I choose to be happy!" Candide, "In the best, of all possible world's!" I read, as a young teenager over fifty years ago, changed my prospective, of reality. That such men as Voltaire, Franklin and M. Aurelius lived to make the world, a better place to live, I'm thankful.

[@unholylemonpledge9730]

If only it was that simple

[@Don-James]

Agreed.

[@Don-James]

@@unholylemonpledge9730 nothing is ever "that simple"; probably it should be made "as simple as it can be", but, "who says that's possible"...

[@wikacy]

Easy for a rich man to say.

[@pancakeslayer101]

candide is literally statire of the rationlist Leibinz's theory that we live in the best of possible worlds.

[@TheSecretmuseum]

These lectures are the treasure of the internet. Thanks once again.

[@BMTroubleU]

I have listened to this 6 times and I hear something new and profound every time.

[@platodave4002]

Beautiful

[@conradpogorzelski2630]

Voltaire laughed faith

[@andrewparkinson1332]

I adore these lectures...thanks Will x

[@benk6737]

I have binged so many of these in a row that this is now the mental voice when I read anything at all. Menu? Electric bill? Comment thread? Now I can't but imagine it all in the measured baritone of the Will Durant audiobook.

[@abellizandro8743]

Hahaha . I feel ya

[@platodave4002]

Virtues!

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

Is will durant reading this

[@TheZigzagman]

@@shannonm.townsend1232 No. That's Grover Gardner. He's as famous as audiobook narrators get.

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

@@TheZigzagman he's great. I believe he narrated several Phillip K. Dick novels of the 1960s.

[@shamsam4]

Voltaire was such a fantastic smartass. I love him.

[@ericgosser7701]

Rocky C! Thank you so much for the Durant channels! Keep it alive, the greatest gift you can give is enlightening someone's mind. There are too few of us in any age, I view the world with the eyes Durant has given me yet I feel isolated and alone. It is encouraging to know somewhere out there someone else is climbing the lonely slopes of Parnassus. Sapere aude, my friend.

[@FuckYouTube1776]

After 2020, I'd rather be "isolated and alone" in my grave than be like everyone else. And after 2020, In 2021, it's distressingly apparent to me that "everyone" will likely grant me my wish, be it by "their" hand, or (I hope at least) more likely by my own hand--I'd die with honor that way at least--though none will recognize that. Will you do my eulogy? Just say that I always craved and spoke the truth, and never abandoned the evidence of my senses, NOR my instincts for popularity, no matter how unpopular or repugnant it made me in their blinded eyes. Tell them to fuck themselves and they never even remotely deserved to be graced by my mere presence. And to those for whom my hate isn't directed and who still have sense, tell them not to worry, I knew who they were and I loved them. And I'm just being dramatic, so don't call 911, you'd make yourself look as dumb a liberal watching you tube, probably with a bike safety helmet on while his limp wrist flags comments.....Fucking assholes don't deserve the label liberal. They have bastardized and twisted that word, into its inversion, because they are the antithesis of "liberté." I have almost no respect for people anymore, though I don't think most are as stupid as the media would have us believe.

[@maitaimik]

@@FuckKZbin1776 You represent some of the worst traits manifest in modern USA, irrational semi-educated thought processes, railing at imagined and real demons, with a liberal sprinkling of invective to emphasize the inner torment of your soul. As you Americans like to say "Get a life".

[@2msvalkyrie529]

Excellent advice. I wonder if he paid attention ? Maybe he could let us know ?

[@boomerhgt]

2msvalkyrie I doubt that very much just another internet lunatic who has lost his fragile mind.

[@MrAnthonyVance]

What a joy to have this story of Voltaire read so wonderfully well without a single word missed from Durant's original work. Pure praise on this undertaking!

[@SS-zx9gj]

You are doing such an immense service by making these available to all. Thank you!

[@josephferguson6158]

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities".

[@jobob47]

my headline quote on twitter.

[@treewatchinginla2101]

rubber fly

[@juanrosales7687]

Lo que expresas es tan claro, que en miles de individuos, dos o tres lo entienden quiero pensar que yo soy uno de esos dos o tres

[@carlpen850]

@ joseph ferg... that is in my top 3 of all time favorite quotes... 1st heard it as a young lad which helped me cast off the stifling burden of religion

[@cykasoviet831]

joseph ferguson big oof

[@mrloop1530]

“Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.”

[@levinb1]

Approximately 700,000 people attended the funeral of Voltaire. Truly a legend.

[@giusmaximus3541]

I'm guess but...adjusting for the difference in population density then and now...today that would probably be 7 million people actually attending .

[@droopy_911]

Amazing commentary with scintillating humor. Will Duramt❤️

[@2msvalkyrie529]

What a genius Voltaire was ! What might Not be have achieved if he'd been living today ! Magnifique !!

[@holdmybeer]

That was beautiful. what an amazing man

[@josephmaynordevelopmentwor23]

I can appreciate that Will Durant chose to teach the French Enlightenment in this way. I'm glad it was even covered, often it isn't.

[@artofthepossible7329]

The Story of Civilization (Durant's magnus opus) has 2 books titled "The Age of Voltaire" and "Rousseau and Revolution", I think you'll know what intellectual period they cover.

[@luisaugustobonilha8210]

Voltaire was a guy who spoke truth through humor. I can't help but laugh when I read a sentence from him, laughing and admiring.

[@MyRealName148]

Candied is a major influence to me. Great read for anyone who hasn’t

[@stanislawhrouste]

I enjoyed this clear and well structured lecture.

[@henryluyombya]

Thank you Rocky C for such wisdom. Much appreciated that I can get this for free and use it to empower myself and communities.

[@goognamgoognw6637]

The most important sentence of this two hours lecture on Voltaire from Durant is that Voltaire planted 4,000 trees. Knowing that he wrote a dictionary , we can believe he meant every one of the 4,000 trees. And i believe he did that because he wanted to leave the world better than he found it. He probably knew that philosophy is just blowing air in the wind and felt at least trees are a better guarantee to have contributed something positive to the universe. His existence was not fruitless. That impressed me more than anything else he did or said, because he did not express it but you can sense it. He said his own wit is like a small brook, the water not being so deep that you cannot see through it. That is humility.

[@bdmartinjr.1715]

Well said.

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

@@bdmartinjr.1715 Methinks philosophy blows err in the wind, along with air.

[@davyroger3773]

And yet if he only planted 4000 trees we wouldnt know who he was

[@monkeydavefraud]

3 nots and 3 negative premises. Yuck

[@abpccpba]

Thank You such a treasure.

[@johnnyoftheshire3381]

"Only philosophers should write history" . . .

[@trusciple3620]

Philosophy Enlightens Man

[@doublenegation7870]

"Man will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest."

[@doublenegation7870]

Rocky C Looks like you only appreciate philosophes insofar as they eloquently flatter your own prejudices. How unenlightened of you.

[@strangersound]

Bert, it looks like you missed one of Voltaire's major points. And how ironic you placed judgement on Rocky while engaging your own prejudices.

[@doublenegation7870]

@@strangersound First of all, that was a quote from Diderot cited by Durant. Second, would you care to show me how I've misunderstood either Voltaire or the Philosophes more generally? They certainly were not a group of conservative aristocrats, being deists and materialists and democratic republicans all. Did you think attacking the upper classes of the ancien regime in writing was only in jest? That we should simply laugh with our minds and leave alone the actual world as it stands?

[@blackmetalmagick1]

That wasn't Voltaire who said that, it was Diderot

[@doublenegation7870]

@@blackmetalmagick1 read the thread.

[@stevenguevara2184]

Voltaire, Durant. Every one who graduates high school should know these names

[@bonnie43uk]

Thanks for this upload, an incredible human being..Voltaire that is :-)

[@lovecatspiracy]

"I will cultivate my garden." Words to live by!!!! I think Geoff Lawton is channeling some amazing Voltaire energy when he says gardening will change the world

[@ia5682]

🤙🏿

[@davidwilkie9551]

"Telling the truth offended everybody", yup.

[@pantera29palms]

“Candide” is nothing less than a masterpiece. 😉

[@aeneas237]

Raise your hand if you wish you could hang out with Voltaire

[@theseustoo]

✋🤚😁

[@alterecho8261]

"The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom."

[@pixelspring]

Thank you for this most excellent and engaging review. I was cracking up on many occasions upon hearing you retell the wit of his genius.

[@livejay9062]

This may be my favorite audio post from Durant's writings. You can tell how much he appreciated Voltaire, while avoiding his often well stated, but "period" bound interpretation of enigmatic humans.

[@magrietkruger507]

Thank you! Excellent documentary.

[@stephenconroy8838]

Love Grover Gardner’s presentations and narrations.

[@TheDrRogers]

Voltaire, W.E.B. Dubois, and Isaac Asimov.... fertile minds that seeded many other minds with potent thoughts ,

[@royerreasonist]

Thank you so much Rocky C

[@kaneo3243]

Voltaire deserves to be studied in every university regardless of your discipline. We need a new consciousness to reprogram societies and our pursuit of happiness. Voltaire provides a window to resolving the problems of contemporary society.

[@DurantandFriends]

I agree, saying that if you want to take an initiative to organize some of Voltaire's content in the form of a course, I would be willing to sponsor that. I know it's a lot of work but you have the passion for Voltaire and that's imperative to the success of the project. I would to hear your thoughts and whether or not you have the bandwith to do something like this.

[@kaneo3243]

@@DurantandFriends Would love to get in touch with you to further discuss that project. Can you imagine the impact of Voltaire's idea reaching 20% of the English speaking world? In the Age of the Internet, it's feasible to achieve that goal. For me it would be a worthy and life defining mission. If I had a sponsorship, I would devote my efforts to see it happen. How do we connect?

[@climbeverest]

Incredible, so sad that Voltaire is not introduced at school

[@RtaniDean]

That would question the social programming of the governed minded educational cyst stem. No free-thinkers allowed in that programming.

[@climbeverest]

@@RtaniDean your opinion seems extreme, are you speaking for the American education system?

[@RtaniDean]

@@climbeverest Yes and ALL of them! Doubt it not. It is as it is none can deny. The outline (metrics of permissibility’s of so called “grade passing”) is in fact, structured by guidelines set by government authorities to their system hierarchy and then educators that have the mandates and impositions to make certain that objective is attained, at least in a permissible percentage standard in order to acquire funding. “My” objective awareness is “Extreme?????” Haha. What a travesty of comprehension. No one can deny my type here as it is absolutely predicated on 100% FACTS that everyone can see. Then, it carry’s on through life circumstances… Think of this, we all raise our children with rules of engagement onto others and self-responsibility. Example: My son, hey buddy, “it is never permissible to harm or kill other people UNLESS- your are directly being threatened by them with bodily harm, injury or possible death. Then, by this circumstance your ARE permitted to fend (notice I did not type “de” fend!) off their threat. * this is a fiction as an example, yet can be experienced by all: Son does great - never harming or killing another person. Then, he joins military. Enters army and kills 7 Iraqi soldiers and unfortunately 2 civilians caught in a crossfire. Comes home and is heralded as a hero. He killed the “evil enemy” as instructed by his commander, who was instructed by his higher-up, who was instructed in structure by the next higher up and so on until some psychopaths, more appropriately, a sociopath instructs all, by “law” (ha ha) to do such to PEOPLE he NEVER knew and knew of NO DIRECT crime or threat- other than the fact that the enemy was told the same thing as he was- “you fight against the evil enemy for God, your country, family and freedom!” What a faux king crock of shit show. Who, exactly is the enemy and what is the cause????? Did ANY of US actually witness such a crime or direct threat?,… No never. Only what your “Government and media “TELLS” you. It is ALL a travesty and Hypocratic endeavor to spell cast beings into a system of dastardly intention and outcome for the rulers who in fact, CONTROL the entire populations worldwide. This is not “conspiracy” (a psyop social program introduced by the government agencies) from me, it is conspiring against humanity by the controllers of the realm. 99% of people are literal cowards who have been programmed by their puppet masters and cannot ascertain with reason darn near ANYTHING presented hereto and are so far indoctrinated that they have only the solve that it is I who is the extreme or deluded one. Simply outrageous ignorance by the slave minions following their pied pipers off the edge of civility and in fact, losing all life=life conscious awareness. This forfeits the very principle life itself and how we are to treat other. I could go on, but my experience reminds me- it would just be in vain. Thanks for your comment and typing with me. Dean.

[@theseustoo]

@@climbeverest In the absence of a response from RtaniDean, perhaps I might offer a little explanation: It is in the nature of teachers, and 'educational systems' to abhor rebels... they would seek to beat the rebellion out of them! And Voltaire was just far too much of a rebel.

[@kyleprather7228]

“I will surely love you forever” ….”he remembered her for a few weeks” Hahaha. Classic this biography

[@daniellezykowska981]

Thank you for posting i loved it.

[@odarrien]

The script writers on this channel are AMAZING!!!!!

[@peterkoltai8841]

This is written by Dr. Durant. He is the genius behind the sparkling writing and enthusiastic voice.

[@odarrien]

@@peterkoltai8841 Absolutely fantastic.

[@not2tees]

I read this over 50 years ago, but I still recall some of the words of Durant. Durant has his limitations like the rest of us - well, I know my own mind much better now, let's say - but he could write. Soaring dark silence - this is what Voltaire means in French, says fellow commenter Randy Matthews. I like this very much. We could use such a genius now, all right.

[@frederickburrell6051]

Wonderful Narration is excellent. Thank you!

[@corazoncubano5372]

Excellent. This helped me to better understand Candide.

[@xyzllii]

Well done Adel and Will Durant...

[@Defilement_the_clown]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@DurantandFriends]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Snoppy1108]

you have done great man

[@coolranch7537]

this was very enjoyable and wise

[@ruperterskin2117]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@kristinal.1495]

Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@nickwiles3071]

Enjoyed this narrator, & the subject matter. Makes the quiet minutes seem, just a little... Badger!

[@hankonfire]

WOW!Viva Voltaire!

[@RealSavages]

The most satanic person of his time. Yeah and you praise him. Nice

[@Zombarakh]

I am listening.. it all goes out the other ear.

[@lauraastudillo411]

Voltaire ,he appeared what he was not,because his epoch forced a man to seem mean in order to survive, he master dialect and'it he was able to present whatever truth very convincing,to have such power takes a brilliant man.

[@trizz8879]

Most of the great minds all cultivated a garden as well as their intellect. Millennia of men existed before us perhaps as the flowers; expression is that is relevant.

[@boomerhgt]

Awesome post

[@asoulist4829]

"More absorbed with the economics of this life the Geography of the next." Will Durant's eloquence in writing rivals that of even Voltaire.

[@DurantandFriends]

I hope this channel celebrates the greatness that you are describing.

[@asoulist4829]

​@@DurantandFriendsIt most certainly does!

[@haivrim]

Lovely

[@matthewgoodwin6295]

Voltaire was actually brutally honest about religion

[@markmajkowski9545]

Some of the quotes and Durant accounts are hilarious. Real SNL material (which is nothing compared to this or Voltaire).

[@Saganswrld2190]

Contradiction, i love it. Irony. I love. Lightheartedness. A philosophy

[@platodave4002]

I like to slow it down a bit. So I can think about it more. Golden

[@zararkhan]

16:42 2. London: Letters on the English 34:58 4. Potsdam and Frederick 45:34 5. Les Délices: The Essay on Morals 52:51 6. Ferney: Candide 1:07:49 7. The Encyclopedia and the Philosophic Dictionary 1:18:37 8. Écrasez l'Infame 1:36:27 9. Voltaire and Rousseau 1:49:45 10. Dénouement

[@BrennanWayneLuther]

Thank you!!!

[@Primetiime32]

My fav

[@DurantandFriends]

ya, Voltaire was a force.

[@thomasd2444]

0:03:18 - Not to be occupied and not to exist amount to the same thing. 0:03:22 - All people are good except those who are idle. 0:03:26 - His secretary said that he was a miser only of his time . ___________ One must give oneself all the occupation one can to make life ___________ supportable in this world . 0:03:35 - The further I advance in age , the more I find work necessary : It becomes ___________ in the long run the greatest of pleasures and takes the place of the ___________ illusions of life . 0:03:44 - If you do not want to commit suicide always have something to do .

[@lawrence9506]

Thomas D Voltaire was a nihilist seeking distraction

[@lefrongo6120]

@@lawrence9506 How so to be fair?

[@lawrence9506]

Lefrongo Voltaire knew there was no purpose or meaning. He also knew there is no objective morality. He still advocated morality.

[@lefrongo6120]

@@lawrence9506 Alright well atleast that makes sense now

[@ivanbarbosa81]

Your Channel is simply superbe

[@benquinney2]

Exact analysis

[@bluestar6023]

To know who rules over you, see who you may not criticise.....

[@JJ-fr2ki]

Thanks

[@npage.]

I read Candide. Volraire was a hilarious dude

[@bachdorshakespeare]

Durant comments that Anouiheh took the pen name Voltaire "for some unknown reason"...Well if you look up the word "vol" in the dictionary (French) i means "soaring" and "taire" means "dark silence" which seems to be a quite Voltairean pun...Soaring Dark Silence....haha

[@Kegz]

Any way you could enable auto captions? They are wrong most of the time, but it does help. Me at least. Maybe I’m in the minority here. Understand if it has something to do with copyright issues - thanks!

[@Petrov3434]

This is priceless - a treasure !!!! How was this audio created - a source? Many thanks

[@nathanbruce1992]

@@DurantandFriends is this your voice OP? It sounds so professional. One of the better audiobook voices I've heard

[@srajan1497]

@@DurantandFriends Rocky C, where acn we fnd rthe full mp3 files of this and other books? Especially Will Durant? And thanks ever so much

[@adiconstantin4598]

Memories (i.e. our life 's history) give our identity (1:32:04). Meaning what are we, in every moment of our life, if not all our past+ present event+our present reaction, and both event and reaction are influenced by our past and by other factors

[@1Patient]

lol, he remembered Pampet for several weeks.... "I shall certainly love you forever" 10:40

[@asoulist4829]

0:00 Voltaire and the French enlightenment 0:05 1. Paris 16:43 2. London 21:11 3. The romances 34:59 4. Potsdam and Fredrick 45:35 5. The essay on morals 52:52 6. Candide 1:07:51 7. The encyclopedia and the philosophic dictionary 1:18:37 8. Ecrasez l'infame 1:49:44 9. Da nu ma

[@DurantandFriends]

Thank you for the time stamps. I searched for a while to find out what no. 8 was referring to, the phrase "écrasez l'infâme," translated as "crush the infamous," is a call to action against the misuses of authority by royal and religious figures of the time. It highlights the negative impact of superstition and intolerance, often encouraged by the clergy. Voltaire, the originator of this phrase, experienced these issues personally through his multiple exiles, the burning of his and others' works, and the harsh persecution of individuals like Jean Calas and François-Jean de la Barre. In a notable statement, he declared, "Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them," emphasizing the contrast between blind belief and rational thought.

[@asoulist4829]

​@@DurantandFriends Thank you

[@marcwatt355]

America could use a Voltaire right now

[@4amcuriosity162]

Here i am

[@VideosVonDennis]

Germany too.

[@Erik-ko6lh]

he would be deplatformed.

[@mikecrum2740]

He keeps it real he was a Jesuit though.

[@christophergouveia16]

Why? We have policial and economic freedom!

[@mpatel1358]

Laugh!.......and appreciate. Philosophy today works as stand up.

[@jobob47]

Hey. Hans. did you come check it out?

[@humaneskits9318]

58:50 Voltaire's response to the clergy. 1:36:27 Voltaire and Rousseau

[@christiancarson8632]

Bro that was very clutch

[@Randall2023]

Dauphin River First Nation Manitoba Canada 🇨🇦

[@oudski]

“If you do not wish to commit suicide, always have something to do.” I’d posit that committing suicide IS something to do. I’m sure it takes up a lot of time and energy in the planning and preparation, a lot of mental fortitude in the reconciling of the consequences. I’ll bet that this puzzle of killing one’s self is the very reason some folks get out of bed in the morning. Just a thought.........

[@mikelheron20]

It's a thought but one devoid of importance or interest.

[@atwilliams8]

Screw these people Joe and always remember - us good ones are really no better, it's turtles all the way down. See you on the other side, but I'm going for the ful ride... That's dignity, that's something.

[@vettezl1]

'State your terms and I will coverse with you'. V

[@user-kn4dr3ng4p]

👍👍👍

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Superbe ! 🤔( "Green Fire", IngramSpark, geoff nelson hill ) 🌈🦉

[@albertogutierrez8653]

Voltaire!

[@scamlikely3457]

Is this an audiobook of one of Will Durant's books?

[@scamlikely3457]

@@DurantandFriends Thanks

[@jeffsmith673]

45:35 Essay on Morals 1:41:25 Equality vs. Liberty

[@Rico-Suave_]

Watched all of it 1:55:11

[@franciscontreras5728]

Who is this read by?

[@franklinfalco9069]

thunder/philosopher type pokemon

[@monkeydavefraud]

If you like voltaire colorful words and carboard wisdom is for you

[@loverboy4694]

These have more history than philosophy

[@Nobody-11B]

Lover Boy without one the others reasoning is lost.

[@solarisseven6969]

Nobody I can't discern the difference as well.

[@rickvassell8349]

That's your opinion.

[@YafatFuqa]

I am having trouble finding this book. I found the age of Voltaire by W Durrant yet, this is not what your reading??????????????

[@YafatFuqa]

Found it!

[@andreamartin4233]

Story of Philosophy Will Durant This is just one of the chapters

[@sonarbangla8711]

Whenever an European is praising another of his liking, I wonder how that praise is honest and truthful. Voltaire was a master trader of word salad.

[@marcpadilla1094]

Candide is Les Mis.Jean Valjean.

[@stephenkirby1264]

The preeminent goal of philosophy should be that of encompassing a maximum of epistemological concepts through logical deduction with a minimum of hypotheses or axioms. That is, to take all of the philosophical isms out there and create the understanding of them all by the usage of one hypothesis or axiom, don’t you think?

[@mohdharoon4938]

1:00:00