Skepticism emerged as a response to the religious conflicts and lack of shared standards to resolve disagreements.
Montaigne's skepticism promoted embracing uncertainties and challenging the certainty of beliefs.
Deep dives
The Reformation's Unexpected Consequences
The Reformation led to the emergence of more secular and religiously tolerant societies despite the initial intolerance among followers. The religious conflicts brought attention to the problem of resolving disagreements, as there was no shared standard to settle disputes. This highlighted the influence of philosophical skepticism, particularly influenced by Sextus Empiricus and the Hellenistic tradition of thought.
Montaigne's Skepticism and its Attraction
Montaigne's skepticism was inspired by the conflicting religious convictions of the time. He used the technique of opposing irresolvable views to challenge the certainty of beliefs and advocated for embracing uncertainties rather than clinging to dogmas. Montaigne's skepticism relied on the idea of continual changes in human affairs as judgments on them, displaying a principled uncertainty and modesty in his own opinions.
Charron's Compatibility of Skepticism and Theology
Charron, a friend of Montaigne, followed a similar skeptical line of thought but with a more theological approach. He believed in the value of skepticism for creating space for faith in authority while regarding human wisdom as uncertain. Charron upheld the compatibility of theological commitments and a skeptical or fallibilist epistemology by considering supernatural resources supplied by God. His skepticism aimed to combat violent conflicts by undermining self-righteous certainty and challenging schismatic teachings of the Reformation.