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Which Enlightenment philosopher advocated for the separation of church and state in France?

a. Voltaire
b. Rousseau
c. Montesquieu
d. Diderot

User Pmilosev
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Final answer:

The Enlightenment philosopher who championed the separation of church and state in France was Voltaire option a).

Step-by-step explanation:

The Enlightenment philosopher who advocated for the separation of church and state in France was Voltaire. Voltaire, a key figure in the French Enlightenment, stressed the importance of freedom of expression, religious toleration, and the innate utility of reason, criticizing the Catholic Church and the French monarchy in his works such as Treatise on Tolerance and the satire Candide. While Baron de Montesquieu did introduce the concept of separation of powers within a government, it was Voltaire who championed the cause of separating ecclesiastical influence from governmental affairs.Final answer:

Voltaire was the Enlightenment philosopher who advocated for the separation of church and state in France. He argued for religious toleration, freedom of speech, and the utility of reason. His ideas played a significant role in undermining the legitimacy of the Old Regime and shaping the French Revolution.

User Sehummel
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