Comment les Monades Conduisent Au Scepticisme

Wolff’s review of Leibniz’metaphysics is discussed in the correspondence between Voltaire and Frederick, the future Frederick II. Frederick attempts to introduce and to convert Voltaire to Wolffianism. Even though he declares it remarkable, Voltaire has little esteem for the Wolffian method. Rejecting Baylian fideism, Frederick is unwilling to renounce voluntarily the knowledge that can be acquired through reasoning. According to Voltaire, metaphysical truths remain inaccessible. The only defensible position is hence that of metaphysical scepticism. Frederick acknowledges this: having studied the sciences and observed the spirit of men, the inclination towards scepticism is natural. Hence, the debate on monads has led Frederick to renounce his previous Wolffianism. He is ready to become the perfect despot, pragmatic and realistic, a follower of the French Enlightenment.