Ceticismo e fideísmo em Michel de Montaigne

Abstract

For Michel de Montaigne, the human spirit is helpless in the search to unveil the truth through itself and its faculties. For the philosopher, through reason man justifies his beliefs, but he forgets that it is also failure, since — ultimately — beliefs are sustained from faith. In this view, in the absence of faith, the thoughts are vain and sterile. The scepticism does not affect faith, rather it makes it possible for human beings to become aware of their excessive rational pretensions. According to Montaigne, people are similar to animals - it is a mistake to think that man is superior to them - because nature takes care of its creatures and they all have different ways for the survival and perpetuation of each species. Therefore, for a pleasant life, rational subjects must pursue simplicity as a path capable of purifying the soul. According to the philosopher, man should not appeal only to reason in the search for truth, nor to trust blindly in the senses, as they are also subject to failure and uncertainty. Although the senses provide information about appearance, they do not inform reality of such. If reason, religious convictions and the senses are fallible, for Montaigne, the best thing to do is to abstain from any statement that could be compromising, that is, suspend judgement and accept faith.