Book discussion: Candide by Voltaire

This time, we're reading Candide by Voltaire. This is an eighteenth-century novel by Voltaire, an Enlightenment thinker, who satirises the optimistic philosophy of his time, particularly that of another Enlightenment figure, the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

Voltaire tells us the story of Candide, a man who falls in love and goes through experiences that will put to the test the optimism he learned from his mentor, a philosopher by the name of Pangloss.

You don't need prior knowledge of Leibniz or anything about Voltaire. This philosophical novel is self-contained. If you do want to learn more, most contemporary editions of Candide will also include an introduction and notes that will help you explore the historical context and philosophical debates. It's also a relatively short read at about 100 pages.

Come ready to discuss whether Candide's adventures will make you laugh, cringe, or both, and what you think about Voltaire's take on optimism and human nature. Should be a good discussion. The book is short, but there's plenty to unpack!