Philosophy or Work: Analysis of Candide

Candide is a satire written by the French author, Voltaire. The story can be considered a direct representation of Voltaire’s own life and philosophies. It was written during the age of reason, where great thinkers pondered the meanings of life itself. As a great thinker himself, Voltaire questioned the papacy and the regent through satire such as Candide. One theory in which he explored was whether work was preferable over the life of a philosopher.
Martin is an old scholar; he has lost all hope due to being a questioner of faith. Martin after expressing his theories “had nothing left to hope for” (p.91), but Candide still had faith left. Candide, is naïve and stuck in his ways so when martin brings the idea up that “man was created by forces of evil and not by the forces of good’ (p.92), Candide reacts with disbelief. Martin continues to wear his ideas upon him and eventually brings Candide to accept the notion to “ let us set to work and stop proving things, for that is the only way to make life bearable” (p.93).
They then proceed to garden and since they are always working there is no time to discuss good and evil. Candide’s garden eliminates the suffering of him and his friends, but does Voltaire support this view? Their previous experiences allow the reader to understand that there is still suffering going on in the outside world. This is called escapism, a common method of obtain peaceful but empty retreat. Voltaire was one who challenged the politics and religion of his times, and as a man who was exiled from his own motherland of France, sent to the bastille, and had most of his writings banned may have agreed that escapism is the best way to stay out of harm. But is it best for the betterment of the world? In Voltaire’s view, moral questions must be met head on.
“Our work keeps at bay the three great evils: boredom, vice, and necessity” (p.92). In the times of great thinking people were able to have free time or boredom and in turn would