Philosophize This!
Episode #024 ... Montaigne
Jun 4, 2014
Discover how a 16th century road rage incident changed Michel de Montaigne's views on death. Learn why he prioritized personal experience over established philosophical systems and how this shaped his engaging writing style. Explore his ideas on mortality, including the belief that true philosophy involves learning to accept death. The discussion also features a humorous analogy involving a goose that encourages listeners to reflect on their own lives.
26:50
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Quick takeaways
- Accepting the inevitability of death is essential for achieving peace of mind and embracing the limitations of our own nature.
- Montaigne valued personal experience over intellectualizing and searching for universal truths, embracing the wisdom gained from lived experiences.
Deep dives
Overcoming the Fear of Death
Michel de Montaigne, plagued by a fear of death for a large portion of his life, reflects that fear of death is ingrained in humans as a survival mechanism. However, with the advancement of civilization and increased security, he argues that appeasing that fear should be the goal. Montaigne's personal near-death experience shifted his perspective on death, as he realized that the actual experience might not be as terrible as feared. He emphasizes the importance of personal experience in coming to terms with death and questions the value of trying to arrive at all-encompassing rules or truths.
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