In recent years the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) has emerged as an important guide to the ethical life in dark times. His famous Essays touch on the deepest problems of life in the modern world—problems of commitment, integrity, honesty, friendship, and humor—and offer perspectives for changing our thinking. In this four-week seminar we will study how Montaigne uses the essay to question his own attitudes and sketch out a strikingly modern idea of the self.
The instructor will present material on Montaigne’s life and times, and will lead a conversation about each week’s reading selections.
Saturday, August 16, 11am–1pm
Saturday, August 23, 11am–1pm
Saturday, September 6, 11am–1pm
Saturday September 13, 11am–1pm
Instructor: Timothy Hampton, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and French, UC Berkeley
