Traité sur la tolérance

Voltaire wrote this treatise in 1763 after the execution of Jean Calas, a Protestant merchant in Toulouse who was wrongly accused of murdering his son to prevent his conversion. Voltaire argues that fanaticism leads to injustice, that religious intolerance is contrary to reason and to Christian teaching itself, and that the law should protect people of every faith. He draws on the Calas case to make an appeal for reform.

It suits readers of Enlightenment thought. The case study makes the argument concrete, and the plea for toleration still bears on debates today.

Deep; a moderate read.

Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?