Images de la Chine dans l’oeuvre de Voltaire

Abstract

The present article demonstrates Voltaire´s great interest in chinese language, culture and civilization. Through his work, Voltaire exposes the different aspects of the country that caught his attention, while analysing differences and similarities to the western canons. He is inspired by testimonies of contemporary Jesuit missioneries. The return to a legendary and genuine China, described by Voltaire, involves a whole-new concept of history, ethics with no religious obligations, a harmonic vision of the State. It is situated in the center of his vision of human existence. China is introduced as the epicentre of all civilizations.