Fr. 176.00

Sensual Philosophy - Toleration, Skepticism, and Montaigne's Politics of the Self

English · Hardback

Shipping usually within 3 to 5 weeks

Description

Read more










Almost since their publication, the writings of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) have provided rich fodder for the work of scholars in myriad disciplines. Philosophers have considered Montaigne's views on skepticism; historians have examined his views on the Indians; deconstructionists and literary scholars have examined Montaigne's view of the self; and, political scientists have touched on his arguments for toleration. However, because each of these projects has been done largely in isolation, most scholars have failed to see the relationships between the various aspects of Montaigne's thought. Alan Levine, in Sensual Philosophy, unites Montaigne's thought for the first time, ably and convincingly demonstrating the significant role Montaigne played in establishing the liberal ethos in the West. In exploring Montaigne's grounding for liberalism, Levine considers Montaigne's conceptualization of skepticism and its relationship to toleration. He argues that Montaigne's theories of self ground his idea of toleration without leaving it open to the corrosive charges of relativism and nihilism. Levine also articulates the importance of Montaigne's thought for contemporary conceptions of personal freedom, individuality, subjectivity, and self-creation by bringing him into dialogue with modern and postmodern political theorists such as Heidegger, Nietzsche, and Richard Rorty. This lively book persuades those who might be tempted by postmodernism that they should turn to Montaigne instead.

List of contents










Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Montaigne's Skepticism Chapter 3 Cannibals in Utopia: Habitude Naturelle and the Politics of Primitivism Chapter 4 Sophisticated Simplicity: The Reflective Self and the Good Life Chapter 5 Montaigne's Politics of the Good Life: Toleration and the Private Sphere Chapter 6 The Possibility of Skeptical Toleration: Essaying Montaigne's Arguments

About the author










Alan Levine is Assistant Professor of Government at American University.

Customer reviews

No reviews have been written for this item yet. Write the first review and be helpful to other users when they decide on a purchase.

Write a review

Thumbs up or thumbs down? Write your own review.

For messages to CeDe.ch please use the contact form.

The input fields marked * are obligatory

By submitting this form you agree to our data privacy statement.