Mandeville and Voltaire

Abstract

Voltaire is perhaps a less puzzling figure than Mandeville even though more learned, versatile and sophisticated. Voltaire contributed to every major literary genre of the eighteenth century and produced at least one masterpiece in each genre, but Mandeville was a one book man to all but narrow specialists in Augustan literary history. Voltaire’s purpose in most of his writing was to further the ideals of what is now called the Enlightenment, that is, the promotion of general intellectual tolerance, the adoption of scientific method in philosophic inquiry, and in religion the substitution of reason for authority and superstition. These ideals are inseparable from virtually any work of Voltaire. The aims of Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees, however, are less clear. Some critics believe that Mandeville also sought to advance Enlightenment philosophy, but others believe that he cared only to shock his fellow citizens and to amuse himself with his brilliant paradoxes. Everyone recognizes that he established his system of psychology on the premise that men are inherently selfish and his system of economics on the premise that luxury is highly beneficial to society, but opinions are divided concerning his motives for advancing these notions and concerning his sincerity. Voltaire is frequently cynical or ironical in particular works or specific passages, but the general purpose of his thought is apparent.