Voltaire's El Dorado: An Analysis

Human nature and behavior was a topic which was heavily discussed in early Europe. People tend to be selfish and act in a way that considers only themselves, this is not without consequence to others. Understanding human behavior is essential in improving societal conditions and living in a happier community. One of the main debates pertaining to behavior was on the topic of natural and learned behavior. It was frequently argued over whether humans are naturally violent and selfish or if these traits are learned as a byproduct of the environment they are exposed to. Many famous philosophers proclaimed their thoughts on this topic as it had great implications on politics and societal change. Voltaire, a very prominent figure in too many expertise to list, from the 1700’s, addresses this topic

Candide has only been to non-isolated areas where people go to and fro and environments are all intertwined and are thus similar. This does not give one the perspective they need to determine whether violence is inherent or not. To explore the possibilities of a society with no reason for violence, Voltaire sends Candide to a secluded area: El Dorado. In El Dorado, Candide found a near utopian society filled with riches and happy citizens. Candide was very impressed with it, in the poor district he found some kids carelessly playing with some rare gems. He wandered around and was soon treated to a free feast of four tureens of soup, each garnished with two parrots, a boiled condor weighing two hundred pounds, two savory roasted monkeys, three hundred round-billed hummingbirds on one platter, and six hundred straight-billed hummingbirds on another,exquisite stews, delicious pastries; and everything served on platters of a sort of rock crystal (Voltaire, page