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OF UNIVERSAL TOLERANCE

I chose to write on the entry by Voltaire” Of Universal Tolerance”. My task is to relate the text to life as we know it in 2008. In this entry Voltaire bases his argument on the belief that because we are all manifestations of divine creation, we are therefore obliged to tolerate one another. (Jarvis preface info) All “men” are brothers and our Earth is a very little spot in a vast universe in which we all must share. Voltaire’s thoughts and ideals correlate to the issue of the war at hand.

There are a few specific issues that we not only as Americans face, but as human beings in general endure. A prime example of this is the way we all utilize labels such as: religion, race, and even gender. Depending on the country you live in, your religion can define your social acceptance. Also whether we like to admit it or not, racial barriers are still trying to be crossed. For example, our presidential candidate, Barrack Obama. Even in 2008 women still are not paid as much as a man. Many corporate businesses are still ninety-percent ran by men.

One would think that in this day and time there would be more peace and understanding because of previous experiences, but it is still quite the contrary. We fight wars which have no meaning and peace is the furthest thing from being accomplished or on actual agendas.

Voltaire believes that, “This little globe, which is no more than a dot, spins through space the same as countless other globes, and we are lost in this immense vastness” (Jarvis Voltaire 503). That statement says so many things with one thought. To me this means that all different countries, even universes, are so focused on being ”in charge” that we lose sight of how many others there are that encompass us. Voltaire says we tend to believe that, “There are nine hundred million little ants like us on Earth, but my anthill alone is dear to God; all others are a source of disgust to him for all eternity; mine alone will know happiness, and all others will be forever miserable (Voltaire 503) (Jarvis 503 second paragraph)”. We as a society use these labels to define “morals”, how we tend to judge actions based on race, and even job placement because of gender.

Honestly if I overheard someone speaking like this (like what?) I could only assume that they were arrogant and uninformed. The fact is that whenever anything we believe in is challenged, we are on the offense and resort to the childhood mentality; mine is better than yours. Voltaire’s ideals and thoughts, especially on society and the people in it were far more advanced than many of his time. What I can’t understand is that in the 1700’s he made more sense than world leaders of 2008. The Presidential elections sound very similar to the argument he gave reference to above.

When Voltaire mentions brotherhood, the idea of the war we are fighting comes to mind.
Voltaire leads us toward the direction that,”we ought to look upon all men as our brothers (Vol)”.The thoughts that compile cause you to think of all man, meaning every person American or other. This causes a chain reaction of thoughts about our troops over in Iraq.

This automatically brings to mind our country’s endurance from 9/11. It started out as a rebuttal or retaliation if you may, but seven years later why are we still at war? If we take a moment to back track, there were underlying issues before Bush Jr. entered into office. “Having inherited the problem from President Clinton and Bush Sr., he was contemplating on what to do before the 9/11 attacks (Feith)”. Basically George Bush Jr. acted as if it were a necessity to remove Saddam Hussein from power.

The first reasoning was to “protect our home land”, then it was to “secure our future”, and lastly “to help rebuild their country”. When written on paper it sounds like a grown up version of battleship. “Although played out on a global stage, 9/11 and the Iraq war represent personal conflicts for those connected to the victims (Gartner)”. The social ties from conflict casualties increases the likelihood an individual will disapprove of the President. This was shown when it was re-election time for Bush, his influence on the American people considerably dropped from his initial election polls.

Furthermore, “some political experts claim that Bush used democratic freedom as an excuse when the war in Iraq turned out to be more difficult and deadly to explain (Ajami)”. Also some analysts say, “Bush linked Middle Eastern freedom with U.S. security from terrorism (Ajami)”.

All of these facts relates to Voltaire’s thoughts by saying, is there no other way than to fight a war, one in which we do not know the mission at hand. At first it had purpose, but now can anyone honestly say why we are still fighting? His text would impose a message that we could get more accomplished if we allow ourselves to be more open-minded.

In the text Voltaire wrote on how he would question different leaders on their ways of spreading their message and disciplines of those who didn’t agree.”I am convinced of the good you only wish to do me, but can I not be saved without all that? (Jarvis 503 last paragraph)” I completely agree with his statement; this relates to today’s leaders and their actions while in office. For instance, our current President and the candidates vying for office are guilty of making “promises” that they simply can not keep.

Of course while campaigning for their anticipated position, they will introduce ideas of nationwide healthcare, lower gas prices, and even to bring our troops home. What is mind- boggling is the fact that most of these statements will never be addressed until their term is partially, if not over. Then comes the loop hole of the bill couldn’t get passed. It is a shame that these are our leaders and they can not keep their word.

If we trace past presidencies, most have held war or supported one while in office. Recalling recent history, Bush Sr. participated in the Gulf War in 1990. The Clinton Administration finalized the end of the Gulf War. Last, but not least, Bush Jr. managed to have America see yet another war that began in late 2001.

Has it become of more importance to have held a war while in office then to not? Granted we are not to be “walked on”, but if we burn our bridges while at work what are we to do when there are no more bridges? Respect or allies are not granted through domination, but by agreements.

Our country’s soldiers are positioned in an area that is filled with scared inhabitants of a region which was once an enemy. Through this course, it became evident that Middle-Eastern countries “breed” their children in madras that secretly promote terrorism. In certain cultures it is considered the highest honor to sacrifice your self for your religious belief.
Everything those people were taught about Americans was of no truth and now seeing that we are there to try and help them, they see us no longer as a threat. Also on the other hand many may view us to be imposing our Americanized culture on to theirs.

Voltaire said it best, “Not only is it quite cruel in this short life to persecute those who do not think like us, but I wonder if it isn’t rather bold to pronounce their eternal damnation as well (Jarvis 504)”.In the case of the current war, president Bush has assumed the responsibility of pronouncing what will be allowed in a country half way around the world. And surely there are some whom are punished if they do not adhere to the new way of life bestowed upon them.
In conclusion, Voltaire’s thoughts apply to our lives in respect that the occurrences he dealt with are very much the same as the issues we encounter today. Sadly not much has changed since the 1700’s.I feel like the damage has been done, and all we can do is move forward to better shape our future. There will be many wars to come, but make sure that there is still a reason for the fight!


Works Cited


Down Payment on Mideast Peace http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct+true&db+aph&AN+28003702&site+ehost_live
New York Times (19Dec07)36 Academic Search Premiere EBSCO 25July08
Liberty for Strangers: American Power and the Predicament of the Arabs
http://search.ebscohost.com/login Spectator American
Ties to the Dead: Connections to the Iraq War and 9/11 Casualties and Disapproval of the President
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct+true&db+aph&AN+33011595&site+ehost_live
American Sociological Review 73-4(aug08) 690-695
Voltaire, “Of Universal Tolerance." World Views: Classic and Contemporary Readings .4th Ed Eds. Ann McDonald and Jack Trotter. Boston: Pearson, 2007 502-505