What features of the character refer to Gottfried Leibniz in Voltaire's candide?

Answer 1

The philosopher Gottfried Leibniz is famous for his proposed philosophy revolving around the idea that the world in which we exist is the best of all possible worlds. His arguments to this end revolve mainly around the idea that God, as an omnibenevolent being, could not and would not have chosen anything other than the best of all possible worlds in which mankind would live.

In Voltaire's Candide, the main character by the same name is taught this philosophy as a boy. However, in this "best of all possible worlds", any number of absolute disasters befall the unfortunate Candide. Thus, Voltaire is mocking Leibniz's claims through his use of satire and irony.

Answer 2

The character Pangloss in Voltaire's "Candide" is a reference to the philosopher Gottfried Leibniz. Pangloss embodies Leibniz's philosophy of optimism, believing that all events are for the best in this "best of all possible worlds." However, Pangloss's extreme optimism is satirized throughout the novel, highlighting the absurdity of blindly adhering to such a philosophy in the face of adversity and suffering.