Pangloss Philosophy In Candide

Brenda Rodea

November, 28, 2017

Candide’s inability to question Pangloss’ philosophy

Voltaire’s Candide is the apotheosis of an individual’s inability or refusal to question one’s philosophy or belief. Candide, the main protagonist of the novel, follows Pangloss’ philosophy that the world is “the best of all possible worlds”, despite the rigors he faces along his journey. Candide's inability to question his Mentor's so to speak wisdom, covers Candide with an optimistic perception of the world, but is simply blind to the peril he experiences. To elaborate, Candide’s acceptance of Pangloss’ theory hinders his ability to fully experience the luxuries in El Dorado, hinders his ability to accept other notions of how the world is, and deters

It seems that Candide’s experience with multiple rigors on his journey to marry Cunegund, only leads more to a mental catharsis. This “mental catharsis” is due to the lack of rational reasoning clouded by Pangloss’ belief. As aforementioned, Candide not only leaves El Dorado (where he finally finds refuge from the peril of being a fugitive wherever he set foot), but believes that Cacambo and him can “make the best of [their] way to Cayenne” (Voltaire 52). Evidently, Candide’s inability to reason rationally leads to more problems when attempting to sail to Venice, where he meets a Dutchman he raises the sail price from ten thousand piastres to thirty thousand piastres, ultimately Candide is swindled “He paid beforehand… The skipper took advantage of his opportunity, hoisted sail and put out to sea with a favorable wind” (Voltaire 55). Candide nevertheless pursues to find an individual who can sail forth to Venice to find Cunegund. This lack of being able to reason rationally can be attributed to Pangloss’ philosophy, Candide not only believes in fierce optimism but believes that the delayed gratification of seeing Cunegund will outweigh the atrocities he

Moreover, as Candide sails to Venice with his new companion; an old philosopher by the name of Martin, Candide questions Martin’s notion of the world, ““When I cast my eye on this globe [...] I cannot help thinking that God has abandoned it to some malignant being”” (Voltaire 58). Martin’s pessimism does not shatter, nor question Candide’s belief (hence Candide’s response ““And yet there is some good in the world”” (Voltaire 59)). Martin’s perception of the world is an important notion, it shows Candide’s inability to come to terms with every predicament faced. Candide still maintains his positive perception of the world since his exile from the castle when beaten for doubting whether the pope was Antichrist (Voltaire 7), the torment of Candide and Pangloss (Voltaire 14), the escape of cannibalism (Voltaire 43), etc. To see the world as “the best of all possible worlds” is a hindrance to Candide’s ability to accept others notions on how the world is, even as problems unfold in front of Candide. Furthermore, rather than accepting the world as “the best of all possible worlds”, Candide lacked the ability to see the importance of accepting other perceptions of the world. In doing so, Candide not only nearly met his demise multiple times, but also experienced multiple tragedies during his