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Modern History Sourcebook:
Reading Guide:
Voltaire: On Descartes and Newton
[Note: Reading Guides are meant as review aids for a particular
text. They do indicate some of the questions a text raises.]
Answer the questions below.
Find your information from the sourcebook itself, or from your
textbook.
You may use other sources, but indicate what they are is this
is the basis of submitted class work.
Voltaire: On Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton
These are some questions to guide your reading. It might help
if you note down possible answers in the spaces between the questions. Come to class prepared to comment.
- How does Voltaire distinguish between the thought of Descartes
and Newton?
- What is the difference between a plenum and a vacum.
- Which thinker, Descartes or Newton, most impresses Voltaire?
Why?
- How would you characterize Voltaire's style as a writer? Is
he enjoyable to read?
- What other comments do you have about this reading. Be prepared
to discuss them in class.
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