<b>The </b><b>Philosophical Dictionary</b>&nbsp;is an encyclopedic dictionary published by the Enlightenment thinker <b>Voltaire </b>in 1764. The alphabetically arranged articles often criticize the Roman Catholic Church, Judaism, Islam, and other institutions.<br /><br /><b>Fran&ccedil;ois-Marie Arouet</b>&nbsp;(21 November 1694 &ndash; 30 May 1778) was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher (philosophe) and historian. Known by his nom de plume <b>M. de Voltaire</b>&nbsp;he was famous for his wit, in addition to his criticism of Christianity&mdash;especially of the Roman Catholic Church&mdash;and of slavery. Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, freedom of religion and separation of church and state.