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Philosophical Dictionary (Penguin Classics)…
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Philosophical Dictionary (Penguin Classics) (edition 1972)

by Voltaire (Author), Theodore Besterman (Translator)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,1991016,236 (4.06)11
Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary is not what one would necessarily expect of a 'philosophical' work and it is certainly not a dictionary in the common understanding of the term; it is in fact an anthology of short pieces on an impressively wide array of subjects. (I mention this for the benefit of those totally unfamiliar with the work).

That brief clarification aside, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the pieces contained within the 400 pages of the Theodore Besterman translation. Having previously read the Penguin Great Ideas edition ('Miracles and Idolatry', comprised of a selection of 28 of the pieces) I had assumed that the rest of the work would pale in comparison – Penguin would surely have selected only the 28 best bits? But no! I am pleased to report that although Penguin had indeed selected the 28 most entertaining examples for their 'Great Ideas' series, the rest of the work is of equally high quality. Voltaire's mastery of subtle (and not so subtle) irony is both wonderful and devastating; his courage in publishing is entirely admirable; his wit is effective and endearing; and his high-grade intellect is undeniably brilliant. All these personal characteristics and more combine to produce an altogether truly great work that I am sure I shall return to for both entertainment and enlightenment.
  PickledOnion42 | Feb 3, 2013 |
English (8)  Swedish (1)  Spanish (1)  All languages (10)
Showing 8 of 8
Uma série de astutos ensaios por Voltaire, onde sua capacidade irônica e satírica se combinam com sua desenvoltura intelectual de sábio de seu tempo para comentar sobre tudo um pouco - não necessariamente exatamente filosoficamente, mas certamente inteligentemente. Mais que um arremedo de enciclopedismo (mas os "verbetes" estão em ordem alfabética!), segue a tradição do ensaismo livre, como aquela praticada por Montagne e Bacon (mas aqui, bem mais divertida). O capítulo sobre o beijo é impagável, bem como o sobre livros (que se multiplicam tendo como assunto outros livros...). Há um tanto de escritos críticos à Igreja (e a hipocrisia da teologia de um Deus que não se quer vingativo) e ao irracionalismo europeu em geral. Argumentos sobre o conceito de liberdade também aparecem aqui e acolá - ela precisa ser sintética - versando já sobre o poder, pra não recair sobre as aporias do "livre arbítrio" no qual o que determinaria nossa vontade já estaria determinado. ( )
  henrique_iwao | Nov 29, 2022 |
Abstracts from multi-volume masterpiece of a controversial figure of the Enlightenment shows many facets of Voltaire's genius
  PendleHillLibrary | Jun 9, 2016 |
Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary is not what one would necessarily expect of a 'philosophical' work and it is certainly not a dictionary in the common understanding of the term; it is in fact an anthology of short pieces on an impressively wide array of subjects. (I mention this for the benefit of those totally unfamiliar with the work).

That brief clarification aside, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the pieces contained within the 400 pages of the Theodore Besterman translation. Having previously read the Penguin Great Ideas edition ('Miracles and Idolatry', comprised of a selection of 28 of the pieces) I had assumed that the rest of the work would pale in comparison – Penguin would surely have selected only the 28 best bits? But no! I am pleased to report that although Penguin had indeed selected the 28 most entertaining examples for their 'Great Ideas' series, the rest of the work is of equally high quality. Voltaire's mastery of subtle (and not so subtle) irony is both wonderful and devastating; his courage in publishing is entirely admirable; his wit is effective and endearing; and his high-grade intellect is undeniably brilliant. All these personal characteristics and more combine to produce an altogether truly great work that I am sure I shall return to for both entertainment and enlightenment.
  PickledOnion42 | Feb 3, 2013 |
Peut-etre suffise cette: " La Foi consiste à croire, non ce qui semble vrai, mais ce qui semble faux à notre entendement." ( )
  AlanWPowers | Jun 2, 2012 |
Philosophical satire at its finest.
  Fledgist | Nov 19, 2011 |
In this volume, Voltaire is a better observer than he is philosopher; many of the entries are poorly thought out and inconsistent, but written with his characteristic wit and flair. Not his best work, but it does paint an interesting picture of the values of his time. ( )
  gbsallery | Jul 27, 2010 |
This is a gem of a book.

I can't compete with any reviewers, but I can say that I read part of this book to my friends grandmother (she's over 80), and she asked for a big text copy for herself. ( )
  kat_adams | Oct 21, 2008 |
400 articles
  SrMaryLea | Aug 23, 2023 |
Showing 8 of 8

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