[Montaigne and Paracelsus]

Abstract

After some general remarks on Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), who died just 400 years ago, the author compares him with another most original thinker of the 16th century: Paracelsus. Montaigne and Paracelsus were akin in their fundamental scepticism about human knowledge and convictions. Speaking, in his "Essais", of medicine Montaigne repeatedly quotes Paracelsus. These quotations show that Montaigne had some knowledge of Paracelsus' writings and that, to some extent, he was in sympathy with his ideas.