Voltaire's A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 01 is an 18th-century collection of critical essays and articles addressing topics such as religion, language, and society. Employing wit and satire, Voltaire challenges established norms and beliefs, offering sharp critiques of dogmatism, ecclesiastical power, and the unexamined traditions of his time.
The volume opens with discussions on the nature of the alphabet and the letters A, B, and C. Voltaire reflects on the significance of the alphabet across cultures, exploring its origins and societal implications. He critiques the complexities and fallacies that arise from linguistic interpretations, noting how seemingly simple concepts can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. Through these examinations, Voltaire sets the stage for a broader exploration of philosophical inquiries, contextualizing human knowledge within the wider scope of history and culture, while illustrating the absurdities that often accompany reverence for tradition and authority.

A PHILOSOPHICAL DICTIONARY.
A.
A, B, C, OR ALPHABET.
ABBE.
ABBEY?ABBOT.
ABLE?ABILITY.
ABRAHAM.
ABUSE.
ABUSE OF WORDS.
ACADEMY.
ADAM.
ADORATION.
ADULTERY.
AFFIRMATION OR OATH.
AGAR, OR HAGAR.
ALCHEMY.
ALKORAN;
OR, MORE PROPERLY, THE KORAN.
ALEXANDER.
ALEXANDRIA.
ALGIERS.
ALLEGORIES.
ALMANAC.
ALTARS, TEMPLES, RITES, SACRIFICES, ETC.
AMAZONS.
AMBIGUITY?EQUIVOCATION.
AMERICA.
AMPLIFICATION.
ANCIENTS AND MODERNS.
ANECDOTES.
ANGELS.
ANNALS.
ANNATS.
ANTHROPOMORPHITES.
ANTI-LUCRETIUS.
ANTIQUITY.
On the Antiquity of Usages.
Festivals Founded on Chimeras.
On the Antiquity of Feasts, Which, It has been Asserted, were Always Mournful.
On the Origin of the Arts.
APIS.
APOCALYPSE.
ANTI-TRINITARIANS.
APOCRYPHA?APOCRYPHAL.
APOSTATE.
APOSTLES.
Were the Apostles Married?
Children of the Apostles.
Where did the Apostles Live? Where did They Die?
Under What Discipline Did the Apostles and Primitive Disciples Live?
APPARITION.