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Pangloss 'Philosophy In Voltaire's Candide'

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In Voltaire's classic satire "Candide," the character Pangloss believes in a philosophy known as "optimism." According to this philosophy, everything that happens in the world is for the best in the end, and any apparent evil or suffering is just a necessary step towards a greater good. Pangloss' philosophy is often criticized as being overly simplistic and unrealistic, but is it really just hope, or is it hype?
On the one hand, Pangloss' philosophy can be seen as hope. By believing that everything happens for a reason and that ultimately things will work out for the best, one can maintain a positive attitude even in the face of adversity. This can be a powerful psychological tool for coping with life's difficulties, allowing one to persevere …show more content…

If everything that happens is for the best, then there can be no such thing as true evil or suffering, since even the most horrific events must be part of some greater plan. This kind of thinking can lead to a dangerous complacency, where people stop trying to fight against injustice and simply accept the status quo as inevitable.
Furthermore, Pangloss' optimism can be seen as hype in the sense that it is unrealistic and ignores the complexity of the world. While it may be true that some good can come from even the most terrible situations, it is equally true that much suffering is simply pointless and unjustifiable. To pretend otherwise is to ignore the real suffering of real people, and to do so is to perpetuate that suffering.
Ultimately, the problem with Pangloss' philosophy is not that it is hopeful, but that it is simplistic and naive. While there is certainly value in maintaining a positive attitude and looking for the good in difficult situations, it is important not to ignore the real problems and injustices that exist in the world. So, I believe that what Pangloss preaches is not hope, but rather hype. And this hype is what makes Voltaire reject Pangloss' philosophy of optimism, and is what makes him encourage people to recognize the real problems and injustices that exist in the world and to work towards creating a better world for themselves and others.

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