Candide and the search for truth behind Panglosss Philosophy
In the satire, Candide, Voltaire seeks to find the meaning of Gottfried Leibnizs theory of optimism. Leibniz is a philosopher from Germany in Voltaires lifetime. Leibniz is portrayed in the satire by Dr. Pangloss, a philosopher that takes very similar characteristics to Leibniz himself. Leibnizs philosophy throughout the satire is voiced by Pangloss This is the best of all possible worlds. His philosophy can also be described as arguing that whatever happens in the world happens for a positive reason. Leibnizs philosophy was God centered. There is no possible way that Leibnizs theory can be applied to Adolph Hitlers Nazi Germany and his destruction of six million Jews or the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001. Voltaire proves through all the horrible things that happen in the story, such as rape, war, and the massive earthquake of Lisbon, not everything happens for the best. Although it is very optimistic to have the belief of Leibniz, no one can avoid the suffering that certain events bring. Candide keeps returning to Panglosss theory and that theory motivates him throughout his journey. Pessimism challenges the thoughts of Pangloss but Candide stays on path towards his beloved. His goal of reaching Cunegonde is what keeps him thinking positively. Ironically, when he reaches his goal, he becomes extremely disappointed and then dismisses Panglosss optimism.
At first, Candide is a strong believer in Dr. Panglosss philosophy that the best of all possible worlds. The best of all possible is referring to of all the possible worlds in the galaxy, Earth is the best possible world. Voltaire creates the fictional character Dr. Pangloss to resemble Leibniz. Pangloss states
It is demonstrable that all things cannot be otherwise than as they
are; for all being created for an end, all is necessarily for the best
end that the nose has been formed to bear spectacles-thus we have
spectacles. Legs are visibly designed for stockings-and we have
stockings. Stones were made to be hewn, and to construct castles-
therefore my lord has a magnificent castleConsequently they
who assert that all is well have said a foolish thing, they should have
said all is for the best. (Voltaire 1-2)
Soon after hearing Dr. Pangloss statement Candide travels to nearby Waldberghofftrarbk-dikdorff and comes across two men. One of the men says to Candide Come, sir, seat yourself; not only will we pay your reckoning, but we will never suffer such a man as you to want money; men are only born to assist one another and Candide responds You are right this is what I was always taught by Mr. Pangloss, and I see plainly that all is for the best (Voltaire 3). Candide is starting to buy into what Dr. Pangloss has taught him. Candide is finding a positive out of everything, good and bad. He feels that because these men offer him a seat that they mean it in the best possible way and everything is positive. It is not for the best of all possible worlds because Candide later becomes expelled from the house.
It took some time, but Candide does take a completely other view of Panglosss philosophy when he hears of the death of Cunegonde and his friends and also after receiving a awful beating at an auto-da-fe. Candide yells Cunegonde is dead! Ah, best of worlds, where art thou? But of what illness did she die? Was it not for grief, upon seeing her father kick me out of his magnificent castle? (Voltaire 7). After the earthquake of Lisbon, Candide, all bloody and terrified, says to himself If this is the best of possible worlds, what then are the others? Well, if I had been only been whipped I could put up with it, for I experienced that among the Bulgarians; but oh, my dear Pangloss! Thou greatest of philosophers that I should have seen you hanged, without knowing for what! Oh, my dear Anabaptist, thou best of men, that thou shouldst have been drowned in the very harbour! (Voltaire 13-14). Candide is having a hard time reconciling Panglosss philosophy with all the terrible things that have happened in his life.
Nevertheless, throughout the rest of the novel, Candide stays positive hoping to reunite with Cunegonde. After Candide meets the Old Woman in Lisbon he listens to her story. The Old Womans story is one of many misfortunes and struggles. The Old Woman is starting to prove to Candide that Dr. Pangloss theory cannot always be applied. She is stating that there are negatives in the world, and nothing is always wonderful. Through her stories, Candide finds out that she is an illegitimate daughter of Pope Urban X and the princess of Palestina. The Old Woman is able to point out how unfair life is and how people are dealt a lot of doubts, misfortunes, and situations that lead to negativity. Candide then starts to show signs of being skeptical of the optimism theory.
Also, in Lisbon, the people believe the earthquake is a punishment from God. Candide has more evidence against Panglosss theory of complete optimism. After hearing the Womans story, Candide then says that there are false parts in Panglosss philosophy. It is impossible that everything in the world happens for good. Pangloss gets into trouble in Lisbon because he thinks his optimism would help the people of Lisbon after 20,000 people die.
Along on his journey, Candide reaches Eldorado, also known as the city of gold. Eldorado is a utopian society where everything seems to be perfect. Here, Candide seems to have found an answer to Panglosss theory that everything is perfect and positive. Eldorado is a place where nothing negative at all happens. There are no diseases, earthquakes, deaths or any other disasters. Eldorado shows Candide that the world he and everyone else lives in is not the best of all possible worlds. Eldorado is an example that shows that there are many ways that the best world can be much improved. Candide ends up leaving Eldorado because he is still on his quest to find his love. Candide realizes what optimism really is when he realizes that optimism is just thinking positively when everything is going down the drain.
Candide still trys to remain positive as his journey continues although Candide meets the pessimist, Martin. Martin implies that the world is a terrible place full of disappointments and negativity. Candide still continues to keep focused and stay positive in trying to reach his destination, reuniting with Cunegonde. Candide continues to stay positive as his journey continues. Martins pessimism stays in Candides head as he continues his journey. Candide thinks that Martins pessimism can be an alternative to Panglosss optimism. Martin declares that all humans are inevitably evil. According to a man of letters that they meet at faro game, life is not logical but it is full of confusion and people are continually at each other's throats. He disagrees fully with the theory of Panglosss best of all possible worlds. Like Martin and the Old Woman, the man of letters is able to explain the realistic view of the world to Candide in spite of Panglosss theory. Although Candide does encounter situations where pessimism occurs, overall he acts just as Pangloss suggests and stays positive.
Candides optimism does not last much longer as he finds out many horrible and disappointing things. He finds that Cacambo has lost all of their money and that Cunegonde is an ugly dishwasher for the dethroned prince of Turkey. Candide and Pangloss meet up near the end of the novel and Candide asks Pangloss if he still believes in what he preaches after enduring all the negativity. Pangloss responds to Candide by telling him that he never believed in optimism because Pangloss was always miserable. Pangloss states that optimism is an opposing perspective principle. Pangloss says for when man was first placed in the Garden of Eden, he was put there ut operaretur eum, that he might cultivate it; which shows that man was not born to be idle (Voltaire 87). Pangloss is stating that man was put in Eden to dress it up and be creative instead of passive and idle.
Candides journey seems to start when he meets Dr.Pangloss as Pangloss teaches Candide a ridiculous mindset. The mindset of think positive is wonderful, but not everything happens for the best of all possible worlds. Panglosss theory sticks with Candide throughout his journey and Candide uses this mindset many times throughout his journey. Candide comes across Martine who is the pessimist. Pessimism challenges the thoughts of Pangloss but Candide stays on path towards his destination. His destination is what keeps him thinking positive. When Candide reaches the end of his journey, he reaches a wall of disappointments and Candides optimism dies quickly. Candide is extremely disappointed that he spends a lot of time searching for his love and ends up finding something completely different. Candide finds an older more ugly Cunegonde whom he has no attraction to. Although Candide keeps a positive outlook on life, which allows him to keep moving forward, he later becomes very disappointed and dismisses Panglosss theory. To follow a philosophy that everything happens for the best and all things happen for good is ridiculous and impossible to prove.
Works Cited
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