Doubting makes you freer and more aware (Michel de Montaigne)

BENEFITS OF DOUBT

We have talked to you several times on Don't Waste about value of the doubt, of his power, which should not be confused even for a moment with the weakness of constant uncertainty, and the need to rediscover its value. Where we often squander the clarity of thought and action by barricading ourselves behind false certainties. Or the most stupid and mistaken phrase uttered: "I don't change my mind, because I'm always sure of what I think." In reality, it's precisely the stupid, or the hardened arrogant, who never have the humility to change their opinion and, perhaps, to recognize the reasons of others through the exercise of doubt.

MICHEL DE MONTAIGNE

Among the greatest philosophers in the universal history of thought, Michel de Montaigne, who combined intellectual activity with political commitment in his life, was one of the most precise in describing the vitality of doubt, starting from the content of his masterpiece which are the Trials.

ALSO READ: How to cultivate doubt, and how doubting helps us make the right decisions.

DOUBT AS FREEDOM OF CHOICE

What did de Montaigne argue? First: the doubt it is the only tool for authentic "freedom of choice", against the presumption of absolute possession of alleged truths and against any form of intolerance, whether dogmatic, political, or civil. Second: it is this freedom, which arises from doubt, which in turn It gives us the opportunity to fully enjoy the beauty of life, with all its varied and controversial declinations. Third: precisely from the combination of freedom and a zest for life arises the need to cultivate doubt. If you think about it, we are faced with something extremely timely given the dramatic period we are experiencing due to the constant attacks, a true war, unleashed by Islamic fanaticism, an ideology that excludes doubt, freedom, and therefore life itself, based on prejudice and a presumption of dogmatic truth from religious sources.

Finally, it should be kept in mind that de Montaigne was Catholic, but his religious identity was not based on any form of fundamentalism, dogmatism, or artificiality of faith. His religious identity was also a free thinking, which pushed towards freedomA thought that, if you want to explore further, you can do so through a beautiful book written by Tullio Gregory: Michel de Montaigne o della modernità (published by the Normale di Pisa).

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