Extraterrestrial Life: An Exceprt from Voltaire’s Micromegas
This is an assignment for a class called "Extraterrestrial life: a modern discussion to include historical, religious and cultural aspects". The assignment is based off of Voltaires Micromegas novel. Probably 4 pages of work. Attached is the assignment document. Let me know if you want me to send the lecture slides as well
Excerpts from Voltaire Micromegas
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Excerpts from Voltaire’s Micromegas
1 Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of the above introduction is the enormous size of the extraterrestrial protagonist and his friend. By referring to the massive size of Sirians and Saturanians, Voltaire is mocking one of the individuals we discussed in this course. Refer to your notes and find out who this individual is.
Voltaire's novel "Micromegas" introduces Micromegas, an extraterrestrial from a planet around Sirius that is 120,000 feet tall. This tremendous character is a satire of Rene Descartes. In the 17th century, French philosopher Rene Descartes said, "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am); he is a significant character in philosophy and relates to Cartesian dualism, which separates thought and body (Voltaire, 1752). Voltaire criticizes Descartes' emphasis on the mind and rational reason as the center of human existence and identity through Micromegas' exaggerated size. Micromegas' massive size shows the foolishness of focusing on intellect and rationality. Voltaire's satire of size criticizes his time's excessive intellectualism and philosophical hubris, exemplified by Descartes. Voltaire uses Micromegas to criticize the assumption that intellectual prowess determines a person's worth.
2 In your opinion, how does our modern perception of the size and anatomy of extra-terrestrials differ from that of Micromegas? You might want to do a quick search on the net before responding to this question (your answer should be about 200 words here).
Size and anatomy. In "Micromegas," alien giants like Micromegas stand hundreds of thousands of feet. This fantasy depicts 18th-century science's inadequate knowledge. Our present view is highly scientific, and we now anticipate microbial or intelligent alien life similar in size to humans or other Earthly animals (Voltaire, 1752). Our comprehension of physics and biology's limits drives this transition.