The earthquake further bolstered Voltaire's philosophical pessimism and deism. He railed against what he perceived as intricate but empty philosophizing which served only to demean humanity and ultimately lead to fatalism. The phrase what is, is right coined by Alexander Pope in his Essay on Man, and Leibniz' affirmation we live in the best of all possible worlds, provoked Voltaire's scorn. Polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and poet Alexander Pope were both famous for developing a system of thought known as philosophical optimism in an attempt to reconcile a loving Christian God with the seeming indifference of nature in disasters such as Lisbon. Voltaire was one of many philosophers, theologians and intellectuals to be deeply affected by the disaster. One of the most destructive earthquakes in history, the event had a major effect on the cultural consciousness of much of Europe. The city was reduced to ruins, and between 30,000 and 50,000 people were killed. The earthquake of 1 November 1755 completely devastated the Portuguese capital Lisbon. 1755 copper engraving showing Lisbon in flames and a tsunami overwhelming the ships in the harbour
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