Montaigne and “christian philosophy”

Abstract

The discovery of a hitherto unknown fact can improve the understanding of a crucial page in the chapter «Des prières» of the Essays: Montaigne is based on a statement that the Flemish humanist Justus Lipsius had made in the preface of the second edition of his acclaimed dialogue De constantia, to respond to criticism by the secular nature of the book. The views adopted by both authors, however, are different. While Lipsius emphasizes the Christian character of his philosophy, Montaigne prefers to deny that philosophy can be useful to religion and to separate clearly the domains of reason and of faith. Key words: Montaigne, «Des prières», Christian philosophy, «philosophia ancilla theologiae», «verbis indisciplinatis», Lipsius, Torrentius, Erasmus, Dolet.