Abstract

RAGA ROSALENY, Vicente. Attempts on Montaigne: Horkheimer and the function of skepticism. Estud.filos [online]. 2017, n.55, pp.82-102. ISSN 0121-3628.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.ef.n55a06.

In 1938 Max Horkheimer published an article entitled “Montaigne and the Function of Skepticism” trying to clarify and criticize the role of skepticism at his times, close to World War II. According to Horkheimer there are two essential features of skepticism: radical reactionarism and defense of indi viduals. Following the German philosopher both were key elements in the rise of bourgeois society in Montaigne´s epoch and, in that sense, his skepticism was progressive. However, at the time of Horkheimer both traits were, as the skeptical position, reactionaries, and the only valid alternative to the danger of authoritarian states would be his own Critical Theory. Our paper aims to question the essential character of both traits and, at the same time, the interpretation of skepticism provided in Horkheimer´s article.

Keywords : reactionarism; skepticism; individual; critical theory; Montaigne.

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