Letter to Voetius

work by Descartes

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July 16, 2026

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The "Letter to Voetius" is a work by the philosopher René Descartes written in 1648. In this letter, Descartes pleaded for religious tolerance and individual rights, addressing a wide audience beyond just Christians. He argued that both Protestants and Catholics could hope for heaven as they worship the same God. This letter emerged from a significant controversy Descartes had with the Calvinist theologian [Gisbertus Voetius](https

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René Descartes
Residence in the Netherlands
In his Letter to Voetius of 1648, Descartes made a plea for religious tolerance and individual rights. Claiming to write not only for Christians but also for Turks—meaning Muslims, libertines, infidels, deists, and atheists—he argued that, because Protestants and Catholics worship the same God, both can hope…
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In his Letter to Voetius of 1648, Descartes made a plea for religious tolerance and individual rights. Claiming to write not only for Christians but also for Turks—meaning Muslims, libertines, infidels, deists, and atheists—he argued that, because Protestants and Catholics worship the same God, both can hope…
Read More