Posted by Guillermo Maynez
on 6/2/2009, 14:07:22, in reply to "The Art of Discussion"
201.103.29.205
You have just reminded me of how otiginal and provocative Montaigne´s Essays are. I read some of them ten years ago, but I think now it's time to go back to them. (I don't feel like quarreling just now)
--Previous Message--
: I've been slowly reading through the Complete Works of
: Michel de Montaigne. The essay I came to last night
: entitled "Of the Art of Discussion" was
: especially timely in light of our recent postings
: about strong opinions and hurt feelings.
:
: I realized that my approach to discussion of any sort
: has been shaped by 30 years of workplace committees
: and workgroups where the goal is to reach consensus
: and be as inclusive as possible. Montaigne asserts
: that consensus and sensitivity to bruised egos have no
: place in a free discussion of ideas.
:
: I wish I could include the entire essay, but it is
: quite long. Here are a few passages (the translator is
: Donald Frame):
:
: "The study of books is a languishing and feeble
: activity that gives no heat, whereas discussion
: teaches and exercises us at the same time. If I
: discuss with a strong mind and a stiff jouster, he
: presses on my flanks, prods me right and left; his
: ideas launch mine. Rivaly, glory, competition, push me
: and lift me above myself. And unison is an altogether
: boring quality in discussion...."
:
: "So contradictions of opinions neither offend nor
: affect me; they merely arouse and exercise me. We flee
: from correction; we should face it and go to meet it,
: especially when it comes in the form of discussion,
: not ex cathedra . At every opposition we do not
: consider whether it is just, but, right or wrong, how
: we can get rid of it. Instead of stretching out our
: arms to it, we stretch out our claws.
:
: "I could stand to be rudely jarred by my friends:
: 'You're a fool, you're dreaming.' I like to see people
: speak up bravely among gallant men, and to see the
: words go where the thought goes. We should strengthen
: and toughen our ears against this tenderness toward
: the ceremonious sound of words. I like a strong, manly
: fellowship and familiarity, a friendship that delights
: in the sharpness and vigor of its intercourse, as does
: love in bites and scratches that draw blood. It is not
: vigorous and generous enough if it is not quarrelsome,
: if it is civilized and artful, if it fears knocks and
: moves with contraint. For there can be no discussion
: without contradiction. [Cicero]..."
:
: "In truth, I seek more the company of people who
: treat me roughly than that of those who fear me. It is
: an insipid and harmful pleasure to have to do with
: people who admire us and give way to us.... I feel
: much prouder of the victory I win over myself when, in
: the very heat of the battle, I make myself bow beneath
: the force of my adversary's reason, than I feel
: gratified by the victory I win over him through his
: weakness."
:
: Montaigne moves on to say that, while discussions may
: lack agreement, they should still have order:
:
: "I care little about the subject matter, opinions
: are all one to me, and I am almost indifferent about
: which opinion wins. I will argue peaceably a whole day
: if the debate is conducted with order. It is not so
: much strength and subtelty that I ask for as
: order...."
:
: The essay rambles on to other topics, as Montaigne's
: essays usually do, during which he throws out another
: opinion which has nothing to do with discussions, but
: I quote it because I like it: "Every abridgment
: of a good book is a stupid abridgment."
:
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