Candide is a must read.

[fitzov]

While this is a tech forum and many of you are of the age that you haven't had the chance to read many books of literature, Candide is a very famous book written by Voltaire in 1759. It's also tiny, so even the most lazy of readers, like myself, can finish it.

The reason I'm suggesting this book is because there seems to be a resurgence of panglossianism, or the idea that they way things are are as they should be, or for the best. This idea is irresponsible and is a favorite among the powerful who like to turn a blind eye to the horrors of the world so they can feel comfortable or deny that they have any role in helping people, or even refusing to hurt them. Imagine your most vivid example of tragedy, and the panglossian will say something like: "Everything happens for a reason, it had to be."

Let me leave you with this quote from the end of the book, and may someone actually read the book to see how ridiculous the panglossian truly is.

"Well, my dear Pangloss," said Candide to him, "when You were hanged, dissected, whipped, and tugging at the oar, did you continue to think that everything in this world happens for the best?"

"I have always abided by my first opinion," answered Pangloss; "for, after all, I am a philosopher, and it would not become me to retract my sentiments; especially as Leibnitz could not be in the wrong: and that preestablished harmony is the finest thing in the world, as well as a plenum and the materia subtilis."

 

[Peetoeng]

I saw an operette based on the novella. It's pretty entertaining.

 

[SirStev0]

i liked it...

 

[phisrow]

Voltaire = Awesome

 

[xSauronx]

i enjoyed it, but its been some time since i read it. i think i picked it up about a year ago or so

 

[Subterranean Homesick Alien]

I was just having a conversation about this book last week and drew the same parallels as you just did. I'd considered making a post about it but didn't think it would garner much interest around here.