The Sceptic Michel De Montaigne

Michel de Montaigne, the originator and unrivaled master of the essay, has many admirers who view him as a skeptic. This article discusses the nature of Montaigne’s skepticism, how skepticism is reflected in his life and work, and how this could be reconciled with his religious beliefs. Montaigne had a naturally skeptical mind, but it can hardly be said that he practically lived as a skeptic. However, his constant search for truth, comparing arguments for and against without giving a final judgment, makes him a pragmatic skeptic. He often emphasizes the importance of questioning and objective examination. Seeking the truth, shaking things up, doubting, not holding anything for certain, not guaranteeing anything, and then withholding judgment (judgment suspension) characterize Montaigne’s skepticism, which is also marked by humility and self-criticism. Montaigne was a devout Catholic and showed great respect for religion. How this could be combined with accepting skepticism is a matter of speculation. A plausible explanation could be that he believed in religion but simultaneously denied that we can know the “truths” theology tries to convey—faith is independent of reason.