MONTAIGNE - METHOD

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>MONTAIGNE</FONT><BR> THE SCEPTIC</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>Method</B></FONT><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>THE ESSAY IS BORN</B></FONT><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE>"I present a humble life, without distinction; but that is no matter. Moral philosophy, as a whole, can be just as well applied to a common and private existence as to one of richer stuff. Every man carries in himself the complete pattern of human nature. Authors communicate with the world in some special and peculiar capacity; I am the first to do so with my whole being..."<P> ("Essays" Book III. 2)</BLOCKQUOTE> Montaigne was neither follower nor founder of a particular school of thought. He proposed no philosophical or social system. "Others fashion man" he said, "I relate him." His mind was far from ordered and he followed no established methodology or logic system. Instead, he devised a new approach to exploring the human condition through self exploration, and a new literary device which he described as an<I>essai</I> or trial. Each brief piece of prose tests his response to different subjects and situations. Always he is making a trial of his opinions, not to determine their validity, but to better understand and to build up a comprehensive picture of himself. The <I>Essays</I> , in effect, are a form of extended autobiography, but he is as much writing to himself as about himself. <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>