In Our Time Montaigne
Apr 25, 2013
In this engaging discussion, Terence Cave, David Wootton, and Felicity Green explore the life and works of Michel de Montaigne, a Renaissance thinker renowned for his introspective essays. They delve into Montaigne's unique writing style and his skepticism towards knowledge and cultural norms. The guests highlight his influences from figures like Plutarch and Seneca and examine his thoughts on identity, death, and societal progress. They also discuss his preference for pleasure over rigid morals, concluding with a light-hearted note on Montaigne's fondness for wine.
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Personal Thinking As Philosophical Method
- Montaigne's Essays deliberately present a wandering, personal mind rather than a systematic philosophy.
- He frames his writing as 'essais' or attempts to record his thoughts, asking "What do I know?"
Nouveau-Riche Bordeaux Origins
- Montaigne came from a wealthy Bordeaux family that bought nobility and ran large wine-producing estates.
- His father trained him intensively and oddly, shaping Montaigne's social ascent and education.
Education Built For The Classics
- Montaigne received an experimental humanist education, raised partly among peasants and taught Latin as his first language.
- This immersive classical training made Latin a living medium for his thought and writing.
