Final answer:
Voltaire encouraged freedom of speech and press because he believed in defending religious toleration, freedom of speech, and the utility of reason. He believed that allowing people to express their opinions freely and disseminate information through speech, writing, and pictures was crucial for the progress and enlightenment of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voltaire encouraged freedom of speech and press because he was an outspoken critic of the Catholic Church, the aristocracy, and the French monarchy. He believed in defending religious toleration, freedom of speech, and the utility of reason. Voltaire's writings, such as Treatise on Tolerance and Republican Ideas, advocated for these rights and freedoms. He believed that allowing people to express their opinions freely and disseminate information through speech, writing, and pictures was crucial for the progress and enlightenment of society.
Learn more about Voltaire's advocacy for freedom of speech and press