Question

Using the following passage from Voltaire's crucial Enlightenment text, the Philosophical Dictionary, to answer the following question:
"Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices." --Public Domain

What attitude does Voltaire promote in this quote?

Rejection of belief in God
Reliance on individual thought
Achievement of group consensus
Respect for the opinions of society

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Reliance on individual thought

Explanation:

Voltaire was an important writer and philosopher that lived during the Age of Enlightenment or the Age of Reason because of this through his writings Voltaire criticized the Catholic church and supported the freedom of speech and religion. This included his "Philosophical Dictionary" published in 1764 in which Voltaire criticized different religious institutions especially in terms of injustice, intolerance and the fanatism. Themes that can be seen in the excerpt "Anyone who has the power to make you believe absurdities has the power to make you commit injustices" in which Voltaire explains those who are in the power which might refer to the clergy, do only have the power to convince people about ideas that are not logic or true but to motivate them to commit injustices.

This excerpt shows Voltaire is against the people in power and supports the freedom of religion and speech by promoting individual thought rather than following others. This means the attitude Voltaire promote in this quote is the "reliance on individual thoughts" or trusting own ideas and thoughts rather than believing in others.

Answer 2

The given quote above is based on the book "Dictionnaire philosophique" which was written by Voltaire. And the attitude that is being promoted in the quote above is RELIANCE ON INDIVIDUAL THOUGHT. The answer for this would be the second option. Hope this helps.