Religion approaches of Voltaire and Diderot

Enlightenment which is identified with Kant's motto "Sapere Aude!" is as much as the name of a certain period in terms of European history; a way of thinking also means individual, social and political design. The first thing that can be said about the enlightenment that left its mark on the 18th century is not one enlightenment, but enlightenment ideas shaped by different country traditions. In the 18th century, which is mentioned as the period of enlightenment, French, German, Scottish, American style enlightenments can be mentioned in which different values and principles were emphasized more. Each enlightenment tradition left its mark on its own society, reflected the cultural, political and individual understanding of its own society, and brought forward its own unique principles, shaped by the work of important philosophers. It can be said that the change in the historical, cultural structure, political structure, class structure and even economic structure of the societies are decisive in the emergence of different enlightenments. Each enlightenment with different points highlighted rationalism, and sought to transform individualistic thinking, traditional political and social structures, and to get rid of metaphysics. Each enlightenment wanted to make people think that society and the individual and political life could be reshaped in different ways within the framework of the basic principles they set. The subject of the thesis is to examine how the concepts of religion, individual, society, reason, tolerance and freedom are handled in the thoughts of Volteire and Diderot, the French enlightenment that emphasizes the themes of reason, logic, scientific method, and questioning religion. Both thinkers wanted to transform the political and social structure by highlighting the mind. While Volteire is in a more deist line regarding religion; Although Diderot respects different views on religion, he stands closer to ataeism. Keywords: French Enlightenment, Voltaire, Diderot, Religion, Liberty