The two philosophers were quite different. Voltaire was a prolific writer, and his works are still widely read today. He was critical of religion and politics, often mocking both. Voltaire was also known for his wit and satirical style of writing. Rousseau believed in the goodness of humanity, while Voltaire was more critical. Rousseau also championed the idea of the noble savage, while Voltaire thought civilization was necessary.
Rousseau’s ideas were based on his experiences at the monastery, where he lived for about five years. He saw that it was possible for people to live together without needing laws or law enforcement. This led him to believe that humans are naturally good and only need to be free from artificial constraints to act accordingly. Rousseau’s ideas influenced a generation of revolutionaries in France during the French Revolution, including Maximilien Robespierre, who said: “I came into this world a republican; I shall leave it an atheist.”
Voltaire had a more skeptical view of human nature and believed that there was no such thing as a “noble savage,” that all humans were essentially corruptible by society or vice versa. He argued for the benefits of civilization because it allowed people to live in greater comfort and security than they would otherwise have without it. Voltaire’s wit and sarcasm helped him become one of the best-known figures of his time. He was an outspoken critic of religious intolerance and censorship, as well as a defender of civil liberties such as freedom of expression and association.
