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Voltaire

"Voltaire, a master of wit and reason, fought tyranny with satire, championed free speech, and was exiled, imprisoned, but never silenced."

Contemporaries Like Voltaire

If you're looking for contemporary intellectuals who embody the spirit of Voltaire, you’re likely looking for people who embrace and champion some of his core values, such as:

• Freedom of speech and expression
• Religious tolerance and secularism
• Critique of dogma and authority
• Rationalism and skepticism
• Human rights and social justice

Here are some contemporary thinkers, writers, and public intellectuals who could be seen as carrying on Voltaire’s legacy in modern times:

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1. Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011)

"What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence".

• Role: Journalist, essayist, public intellectual
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Hitchens was known for his fearless critique of religion and defense of free speech. Like Voltaire, he had no patience for dogma, especially religious dogma, and he exposed hypocrisy in political and religious figures with sharp wit and biting criticism. His book "God Is Not Great" takes on the same anti-clerical spirit that Voltaire had in works like "Candide" and his critiques of the Catholic Church.
• Core Voltairean Values: Religious tolerance (or secular critique), free speech, and anti-dogmatism.
• Notable Works: God Is Not Great, Letters to a Young Contrarian, Arguably.

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2. Salman Rushdie (1947–)

• Role: Novelist, essayist, free speech advocate
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Rushdie is a champion of free speech and an outspoken critic of censorship and religious fundamentalism. His novel "The Satanic Verses" provoked outrage in some religious communities, leading to death threats and a fatwa against him. Rushdie's commitment to the right to offend and his stance on artistic and intellectual freedom echo Voltaire's defense of controversial writers and thinkers of his own time.
• Core Voltairean Values: Defense of free speech, opposition to religious dogma, and literary wit.
• Notable Works: The Satanic Verses, Midnight's Children, Joseph Anton: A Memoir.

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3. Noam Chomsky (1928–)

• Role: Linguist, philosopher, social critic, activist
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Chomsky's critiques of state power, corporate media, and imperialism are in line with Voltaire's relentless criticism of tyranny and oppression. While Voltaire was critical of monarchy and the Church, Chomsky critiques modern power structures like corporations and state-sponsored violence. His commitment to speaking truth to power echoes Voltaire's defense of free thought.
• Core Voltairean Values: Critique of power, defense of free speech, and rational discourse.
• Notable Works: Manufacturing Consent, Hegemony or Survival, On Anarchism.

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4. Richard Dawkins (1941–)

• Role: Biologist, public intellectual, advocate of secularism
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Dawkins is a relentless critic of religious dogma and scientific ignorance, much like Voltaire. His book "The God Delusion" takes direct aim at religion in a style reminiscent of Voltaire's satirical and polemical approach to the Catholic Church. Dawkins also promotes the use of rational inquiry and science to explain the world, echoing Voltaire's Enlightenment values.
• Core Voltairean Values: Skepticism of religion, advocacy for rational thought, and human progress through reason.
• Notable Works: The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion, Outgrowing God.

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5. Margaret Atwood (1939–)

• Role: Novelist, essayist, social critic
• Why She Embodies Voltaire: Satire, social critique, and the exposure of tyranny are hallmarks of Atwood’s work, especially her most famous novel, "The Handmaid’s Tale", which examines the subjugation of women under theocratic rule. Her sharp, satirical critique of authoritarianism and her reflections on the role of free will and human rights place her firmly in the Voltairean tradition.
• Core Voltairean Values: Critique of tyranny, social justice, and satire.
• Notable Works: The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx and Crake, The Testaments.

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6. Bernard-Henri Lévy (1948–)

• Role: French philosopher, essayist, public intellectual
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: As a public philosopher and human rights advocate, Lévy has tackled the abuses of tyrants and the role of human rights in the modern world. Much like Voltaire, Lévy believes in the power of intellectuals to influence politics. He has been critical of nationalism, anti-Semitism, and authoritarianism, all themes that Voltaire addressed in his works.
• Core Voltairean Values: Critique of power, defense of human rights, and internationalism.
• Notable Works: The Virus in the Age of Madness, Left in Dark Times.

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7. Ai Weiwei (1957–)

• Role: Chinese artist, dissident, activist
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Ai Weiwei's critique of tyranny and state power aligns closely with Voltaire’s critiques of monarchy and Church power. His fearless use of art as dissent and his focus on human rights place him squarely in the Voltairean tradition. By using satire, subversive art, and direct criticism of the Chinese government, Ai Weiwei channels Voltaire’s opposition to censorship and authority.
• Core Voltairean Values: Critique of tyranny, censorship, and use of art as political resistance.
• Notable Works: His art installations and films like Human Flow expose the suffering of refugees and marginalized communities.

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8. Steven Pinker (1954–)

• Role: Cognitive psychologist, public intellectual, science communicator
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Pinker defends the idea of human progress through reason and Enlightenment values, a central idea of Voltaire’s philosophy. His book "Enlightenment Now" explicitly aligns itself with the spirit of Voltaire by defending reason, science, and human progress. Pinker critiques the belief that the world is in decline, arguing that rational thought and human ingenuity have made the world better.
• Core Voltairean Values: Enlightenment principles, rationality, and optimism about human progress.
• Notable Works: Enlightenment Now, The Better Angels of Our Nature.

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9. Yuval Noah Harari (1976–)

• Role: Historian, philosopher, public intellectual
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Like Voltaire, Harari tackles the big questions of human nature and the future of society. His book "Sapiens" offers a sweeping critique of human history, myth, and belief systems. His work questions the role of religion, challenges traditional narratives, and discusses the threats posed by technology, much like Voltaire questioned the institutions of his day.
• Core Voltairean Values: Rational analysis of history, critique of belief systems, and skepticism of human authority.
• Notable Works: Sapiens, Homo Deus, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.

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10. Ta-Nehisi Coates (1975–)

• Role: Journalist, author, social critic
• Why He Embodies Voltaire: Coates challenges institutional power, racism, and historical injustice, much like Voltaire exposed the Church and monarchy. His book "Between the World and Me" confronts the systemic nature of racism in the U.S. and calls for an awakening of consciousness, echoing Voltaire's challenge to French society’s treatment of marginalized groups.
• Core Voltairean Values: Critique of systemic oppression, challenge to entrenched power, and moral courage.
• Notable Works: Between the World and Me, The Water Dancer.

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Conclusion

If Voltaire were alive today, he might see himself in figures like Christopher Hitchens (rational critique of religion), Salman Rushdie (defender of free speech), and Ai Weiwei (dissident artist). These figures embody the fearless critique of tyranny, dogma, and censorship that Voltaire championed during the Enlightenment. Their commitment to reason, justice, and humanity carries forward his legacy.

Synopses

Here are brief, Voltaire-like descriptions for each of the ten contemporary intellectuals mentioned earlier:

1. Christopher Hitchens "Hitchens wielded wit like a blade, eviscerating religion, power, and hypocrisy until cancer claimed him—but his words remain immortal."

2. Salman Rushdie "Rushdie dared to write the unspeakable, survived a fatwa, and became a living symbol of defiance against religious extremism."

3. Noam Chomsky "Chomsky dismantles empires with logic, exposing media propaganda and the quiet violence of state power, all in a monotone voice."

4. Richard Dawkins "Dawkins turned science into scripture, debunked divine delusion, and made 'meme' a household word long before the internet did."

5. Margaret Atwood "Atwood wove dystopian prophecy into fiction, warning us of tyranny’s quiet return—and watched the world prove her right."

6. Bernard-Henri Lévy "Lévy storms battlefields with a philosopher's pen, denouncing tyranny in designer suits while infuriating allies and enemies alike."

7. Ai Weiwei "Ai Weiwei built art from rebellion, defying Chinese censors with subversive sculptures and selfies from secret police custody."

8. Steven Pinker "Pinker declared that progress is real, argued that reason can save us, and got mocked on Twitter for his faith in humanity's better angels."

9. Yuval Noah Harari "Harari distilled 100,000 years of human folly into Sapiens, then warned that algorithms might soon outthink us all."

10. Ta-Nehisi Coates "Coates gave voice to the legacy of racial injustice, wrote a letter to America, and forced a reckoning with history’s unpaid debts."

These short descriptions capture the essence of each thinker’s contributions, controversies, and provocations, much like a modern-day Voltaire would.

Those With Wit

Yes, witty, playful, and funny approaches to weighty topics are a hallmark of Voltaire's style, and there are definitely contemporary Voltaire-likes who embody that spirit. While some of the figures mentioned earlier are incisive and provocative, not all of them lean into humor or playfulness. However, some of them—and a few others not yet mentioned—do share Voltaire’s wit, irony, and playful tone when tackling serious subjects.

Here’s a list of contemporary intellectuals, writers, and thinkers who bring witty, playful, satirical energy to serious, weighty issues:

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1. Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011)

• Style of Humor: Razor-sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and brutal one-liners.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Hitchens didn't just make weighty critiques—he made them hilarious. Whether dissecting religion, war, or politics, his clever quips and devastating logic cuts were as entertaining as they were insightful. He frequently quoted Voltaire and shared his admiration for the Enlightenment thinkers.
• Example of His Wit:

  “If you gave Jerry Falwell an enema, you could bury him in a matchbox.”(on televangelist Jerry Falwell)

• Playful Approach: Hitchens could go from high philosophical argument to a devastating joke in a single sentence, disarming his opponents while making the audience laugh.

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2. Douglas Adams (1952–2001)

• Style of Humor: Absurdity, satire, wordplay, and playful existentialism.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series explores profound philosophical ideas about life, death, and meaning—all while being hilariously playful. His approach to human insignificance (like Voltaire’s "best of all possible worlds" satire in Candide) is drenched in irony and comedy.
• Example of His Wit:

  “The story so far: In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.”

• Playful Approach: Adams's works are philosophical inquiries disguised as sci-fi farce, much like Candide is a philosophy lesson disguised as an adventure novel.

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3. Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007)

• Style of Humor: Dark satire, gallows humor, and playful cynicism.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Vonnegut’s work is filled with satirical social critique. Like Voltaire, Vonnegut doesn’t just expose the absurdity of the human condition—he revels in it. Slaughterhouse-Five is a masterclass in tragicomedy, and his Kilgore Trout character is a modern echo of Pangloss—a figure whose ridiculous views expose the absurdity of idealistic thinking.
• Example of His Wit:

  “History is merely a list of surprises. It can only prepare us to be surprised yet again.”(from Slaughterhouse-Five) or “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”(from Mother Night)

• Playful Approach: Like Candide, Vonnegut's protagonists wander through a series of bizarre misadventures, facing suffering and absurdity at every turn. His use of “So it goes” every time someone dies is as playful as it is nihilistic.

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4. Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)

• Style of Humor: Pure wit, biting irony, and aphoristic one-liners.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Wilde isn’t "contemporary," but his spirit is Voltaire incarnate. His plays, especially The Importance of Being Earnest, are philosophical farces. Wilde skewered Victorian hypocrisy much like Voltaire skewered French absolutism. His genius for one-liners makes him feel even more Voltairean.
• Example of His Wit:

  “The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it.”or “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

• Playful Approach: Wilde's entire output could be considered a playful critique of human vanity and hypocrisy, the same target Voltaire took aim at.

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5. Terry Pratchett (1948–2015)

• Style of Humor: Satire, parody, fantasy-comedy, and playful philosophy.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Pratchett’s Discworld series blends social critique with farcical humor. Much like Candide, his works challenge power, religion, and human stupidity. The Discworld city of Ankh-Morpork functions as a mirror for all of human society’s follies, from authoritarian rule to religious fanaticism.
• Example of His Wit:

  “In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.”or “The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they’ve found it.”

• Playful Approach: Pratchett builds entire worlds to make satirical points, much like Voltaire’s playful destruction of utopian optimism in Candide.

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6. Fran Lebowitz (1950–)

• Style of Humor: Biting, sarcastic wit.
• Why She's Like Voltaire: Lebowitz’s entire public persona is based on acerbic social critique. She skewers modern excess, consumerism, and the idiocy of polite society in much the same way Voltaire mocked the nobility, clergy, and intellectuals of his time.
• Example of Her Wit:

  “If you’re a Republican, it’s not that I disagree with you. It’s that I think you have a mental illness.”

• Playful Approach: Lebowitz’s public speeches, interviews, and TV shows embody Voltairean comedic defiance. She often delivers truths with brutal clarity and absolute irreverence.

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7. George Carlin (1937–2008)

• Style of Humor: Stand-up satire, subversion, and raw truth-telling.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Carlin mocked everything—especially power, religion, and hypocrisy. Like Voltaire, he wielded humor as a tool of critique and philosophical inquiry. His classic takedowns of "The American Dream" and "Words You Can’t Say on TV" are as timeless as Voltaire’s critiques of France’s aristocracy.
• Example of His Wit:

  “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.”

• Playful Approach: Carlin never spared an opportunity to question authority and expose absurdity through jokes, much like Candide’s journey reveals the cruelty of fate and power.

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8. John Oliver (1977–)

• Style of Humor: Satirical news commentary.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Last Week Tonight is a modern platform for satirical takedowns of power. Oliver’s show is essentially Candide with PowerPoints, exposing hypocrisy and corruption using humor and absurdity to make complex issues digestible.
• Example of His Wit:

  “The Vatican is basically the world's largest Boys & Girls Club, but with way more boys and way fewer girls.”

• Playful Approach: Like Voltaire, Oliver blends comedy with critique, showing how ridiculous our world can be.

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9. Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)

• Style of Humor: Satire, irony, deadpan mischief.
• Why He's Like Voltaire: Gulliver’s Travels is a playful philosophical critique of human nature. It’s Candide with giants and talking horses. Swift's pamphlet, A Modest Proposal, is pure Voltairean irony, as it proposes eating babies to "solve" overpopulation.
• Example of His Wit:

  “I have been assured by a very knowing American… that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food.”

• Playful Approach: Swift and Voltaire both excel in presenting grim reality as outrageous parody, forcing readers to confront horrific truths through laughter.

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Conclusion

If you’re looking for playful yet profound satire, Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, and Kurt Vonnegut are closest to Voltaire’s comedic style. For sharp, witty repartee, think Oscar Wilde, George Carlin, and Fran Lebowitz. If you want Candide-like journeys into absurdity, head straight to Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.