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Loading... Philosophical Dictionary (Penguin Classics) (edition 1972)by Voltaire (Author), Theodore Besterman (Translator)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. 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. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)103Philosophy and Psychology Philosophy Dictionaries And EncyclopediasLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
Is this you?Become a LibraryThing Author. Penguin AustraliaAn edition of this book was published by Penguin Australia. Recorded BooksAn edition of this book was published by Recorded Books. |
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.