Explain the philosophical purpose of Voltaire’s satire on the moral beliefs of the Enlightenment in Candide.

As you generate a thesis statement about Voltaire’s point, see if you can answer the following questions:

• What is his judgment of the philosophical belief in optimistic determinism?
• How does Voltaire account for the existence of evil in the world, both human vice and natural evil?
• What is his vision of human nature? Good or Evil?
• To what degree can we reform society and redress the great problems that face humanity?