| Abstract |
The idea of a harmoniously created universe came to be the central theme in Voltaire’s deism after his visit to England, where he learned Newtonianphysics. Based on this idea, Voltaire ruminated on the question of human origin and advocated his theory of polygenism, while some of other French savants held up the idea of monogenism. His deism also moved him to be in opposition to the theory of climate determinism, which underestimated the God’s providence; and to that of spontaneous creation, which he perceived a taint of atheism. This article thus attempts to discuss the intellectual context of this debate, and Voltaire’s arguments around the question of human origin through his various literary writings. It will also compare his ideas with those of his contemporary savants. |
