Michele de Montaigne on Making Decisions Essay Example

of finding stability within oneself as the first step toward good judgment. People generally believe that experience is crucial for understanding things, as it allows them to form opinions more effectively. However, Montaigne argues that reasoning and judgment based solely on experience are just as unreliable as those based on mere thoughts. He asks why doctors, who should have sufficient experience, still hold different opinions if experience truly uncovers the truth.

Despite their extensive experience, doctors are unable to reach a consensus, suggesting that years of practice do not enhance their authority. Montaigne's perspective implies that well-founded opinions arise from a pursuit of truth in various aspects of life. This quest for truth demands individuals to adopt a skeptical mindset towards everything and prioritize the power of nature over the scientific and scholarly "truth" by focusing on the immutable nature of humanity rather than constant fluctuations.

In addition to experiencing things, man must examine them skeptically and reject conventional ideas and traditions. He must also look inward and observe nature to uncover the truth in all aspects of life. To attain stability, man needs to develop an inner understanding of himself. Certainty can only be obtained by discovering stable truths, which can only be achieved by questioning everything and doubting all things. This doubt enables constant awareness of the ever-changing world.

In Montaigne's essays, his experiences demonstrate the effects of "healthy skepticism" in his continuous contemplation of life. Through questioning everything subject to change, Montaigne is able to make well-founded judgments. He embraces a life of skepticism and reflection, viewing it as a significant and comprehensive endeavor that aids him in evaluating

his beliefs. Nevertheless, it is evident that the pursuit of truth is an ongoing journey.

Montaigne asserts that he speaks as a questioning individual, relying solely on the common beliefs of the Church without attempting to demonstrate his achievement of absolute certainty in any other ideology. He illustrates that skepticism is essential for the formation of substantial opinions.
Bibliography de Montaigne, Michel, The Complete Essays. Translated by M. A. Screech. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd., 1987. -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ].

Michel de Montaigne discusses various topics in his essays. In his essay "We Reach the Same Ends by Discrepant Means," he explores the idea that different methods can lead to the same outcome [2]. In "On the Lame," Montaigne provides further insights [3]. Additionally, he delves into the topic of children resembling their fathers in "On the Resemblance of Children to Their Fathers" [4]. Montaigne also reflects on the concept of repenting in his essay titled "On Repenting" [5]. Furthermore, he highlights the importance of social interaction in "On Three Kinds of Social Intercourse" [8]. Through his essays, Montaigne offers a diverse range of perspectives on these various subjects [6][7][9].