MONTAIGNE - THE ANSWERS

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>MONTAIGNE</FONT><BR> THE SCEPTIC</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>All is Revealed</B></FONT><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>SCEPTICISM</B></FONT><BR> Key to Montaigne's basic philosophy is his <A HREF="../t03/g047.html" TARGET="_top">scepticism</A>. This is most clearly articulated in his longest essay, "Apology for Raymond Sebond". Couched as a defence of Sebond's natural theology, it is actually the sceptic's demolition of the pretensions of human reason. Sebond's "Book of Creatures" is "natural theology" in that it presents religion based on reason, without the aid of revelation or faith. Nature is seen as a hierarchy with man at top, the most noble and perfect part of God's creation. Montaigne argues that man is presumptuous to think himself the most noble of creatures. Animals have as much practical reason as we do and our theoretical reasoning is unreliable, its conclusions uncertain.<P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>LIVING PHILOSOPHY</B></FONT><BR> Philosophy is to be lived, not merely written about. It is the "moulder of judgement and manners" and should be the major part of a child's education. "The conduct of our lives is the true reflection of our thoughts." We must be constantly aware that we act according to customs which are created by society not by some God-given scheme which determines right and wrong. We are but small clods of earth and cannot hope to understand how we fit into the greater scheme of things. Man must be indifferent to the vicissitudes of this world which he cannot control. Our concern should be with inner virtue not exterior glory or hope of the reward of immortality. <BR clear=left><BR> <HR width=100%> <A HREF="http://www.creatorix.com.au"><IMG SRC="../creatorix.gif" WIDTH="85" HEIGHT="40" BORDER="0" ALT="Creatorix" align=right></A> </BODY>