Introduction
In a world that often demands certainty and order, the philosophy of Michel de Montaigne offers a refreshing alternative. Montaigne was one of the most unique and underrated thinkers in history. He rejected the idea that reason and intellect were the paths to true wisdom and happiness. Instead, he turned inward, closely examining his own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Montaigne was born in France in 1533 to a wealthy family. His life was marked by tragedy in his 30s – the deaths of close friends and family members. These losses led him to withdraw from public life and begin a lifelong process of self-examination. This exploration culminated in his masterpiece, the Essays.
Through this deeply personal and intimate work, Montaigne crafted a new way of philosophizing. He embraced the inherent absurdity and uncertainty of human existence, rather than seeking absolute truths. Montaigne celebrated the ever-changing nature of the self and the fallibility of human reason.
Montaigne’s Essays would go on to influence countless thinkers, writers, and philosophers. His ideas laid the foundation for modern skepticism, empiricism, and the essay form itself. By understanding Montaigne’s life and ideas, we can learn valuable lessons for navigating the absurdity of our own existence.
The Innovative Approach of Montaigne
At a time when philosophers were focused on finding absolute truths, Montaigne took a radically different approach. Instead of abstract theorizing, he turned his attention to studying himself. He used the essay format as a way to explore the complexities of human experience.
Montaigne’s essays were very different from the formal treatises of his contemporaries. He wrote in a uniquely intimate, candid, and humorous style, inviting the reader to join him on a journey of self-discovery. As one scholar noted, Montaigne saw the essay as a “new means of communication” after the loss of his friends and loved ones.
This deeply personal and subjective approach was a major departure from the norms of the time. Montaigne rejected the idea that reason was the key to achieving mastery in life. He argued that humans are “equal parts mad” and that our lives are a mix of “folly and wisdom.” He mocked the pretensions of intellectuals and academics, seeing their pursuit of theoretical knowledge as self-deception.
Instead, Montaigne embraced a form of skeptical empiricism. He prioritized personal experience and sense perception over abstract reasoning. He believed that all of our understandings were temporary and subject to scrutiny – an idea that foreshadowed modern skepticism and empiricism.
Montaigne also explored the role of the body in shaping our thoughts and perceptions. He recognized that our physical experiences, desires, and senses were deeply connected to our mental and emotional lives. He dedicated many of his essays to describing the often absurd conditions of the human body.
By embracing the contradictions, uncertainties, and absurdities of human existence, Montaigne offered a radically different way of philosophizing. He prioritized self-exploration, personal experience, and the acceptance of the ever-changing self.
The Art of Living
At the heart of Montaigne’s philosophy was the belief that the purpose of philosophy was not to uncover absolute truths, but to help people navigate the challenges of life. He saw philosophy as an “art of living” – a continuous process of trying new perspectives and embracing the inevitable ambiguities of existence.
Montaigne’s motto, “What do I know?,” captured his skeptical and open-minded approach to knowledge and truth. He recognized that our understandings are shaped by our unique circumstances, cultures, and perspectives. The pursuit of universal, unchanging truths was ultimately futile.
Instead, Montaigne focused on what he could control – his own judgments, perceptions, and responses to the world. Drawing inspiration from the Stoics, he embraced the principle of focusing on what is within our power and disregarding what is not. This meant cultivating self-reliance and self-awareness, and learning to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
Montaigne’s commitment to self-exploration and self-expression was not just a philosophical exercise – it was a way of life. By continuously examining his own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and then sharing them through his essays, Montaigne sought to forge a more authentic relationship with himself and his readers.
As he wrote, “I want you to see me as I am in a plain natural and ordinary way, free of pretense and artifice. I am the one depicted here; my faults and my very self are exposed for all to see.” This radical honesty and vulnerability, combined with Montaigne’s sharp wit and keen observations, made his essays deeply engaging on a human level.
Ultimately, Montaigne’s philosophy was not about finding definitive answers, but about embracing the journey of self-discovery and learning to live with the inherent absurdity and uncertainty of the human condition. By turning inward and sharing his findings, he paved the way for a more personal and subjective approach to philosophy that would influence generations of thinkers.
The Legacy of Montaigne
The impact of Montaigne’s Essays cannot be overstated. In the centuries since their publication, his work has influenced countless philosophers, writers, and thinkers, from René Descartes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau to Blaise Pascal, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Montaigne is widely regarded as the founder of modern skepticism, a philosophical tradition that emphasizes the limitations of human knowledge and the need for a more open-minded and critical approach to understanding the world. His embrace of subjectivity, personal experience, and the inherent contradictions of the human condition laid the groundwork for the development of modern empiricism and the essay form itself.
Indeed, the very format of the essay, which has become a ubiquitous and influential mode of expression in education, journalism, and beyond, can be traced back to Montaigne’s pioneering work. By using the essay as a means of exploring his own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, Montaigne created a new literary genre that allowed for a more intimate, conversational, and subjective form of communication.
Beyond his intellectual legacy, Montaigne’s life and philosophy have also had a profound impact on the way we approach the challenges and absurdities of human existence. His willingness to confront his own mortality, his embrace of contradiction and ambiguity, and his insistence on the primacy of personal experience over abstract reason have all become hallmarks of a more modern, existentialist approach to living.
In an age that often demands certainty, order, and conformity, Montaigne’s philosophy offers a refreshing and empowering alternative. By learning to embrace the inherent absurdity of life, to cultivate self-reliance and self-awareness, and to navigate the ever-changing nature of the human experience with grace and resilience, we can follow in Montaigne’s footsteps and forge a more authentic and meaningful existence.
Conclusion
The philosophy of Michel de Montaigne stands as a testament to the power of self-exploration, personal expression, and the embrace of the inherent absurdity of human existence. By turning his gaze inward and sharing his findings through his innovative and deeply personal Essays, Montaigne paved the way for a new, more subjective approach to philosophy that has influenced generations of thinkers, writers, and philosophers.
In a world that often demands certainty and conformity, Montaigne’s message of embracing the contradictions, uncertainties, and absurdities of life is more relevant than ever. By learning from his example and incorporating his lessons into our own lives, we can cultivate a more authentic, resilient, and fulfilling existence – one that celebrates the messy, contradictory, and ever-changing nature of what it means to be human.
