Philosophy is a means by which humans search for a general understanding of the world and its concepts. Through experience, thought, and observation, one can arrive at a conclusion that forms the basis of his ideas. However, if one simply thinks and does not act, this conclusion does not make any significant difference on his life. This is a major point that Voltaire tries to make in Candide. He is trying to change society by showing people how ridiculous optimism is, and that it has not been proven to drastically impact anyone. Voltaire opposes optimism by pointing out the evils of the world, criticizing actual people and events of the time, and criticizing Pangloss' philosophy.

In Candide, Voltaire often criticizes war, denial, and religious views. He opposed violence and this is evident in many situations in Candide. For example, he used the war of the Bulgarians and the...