VIRTUDE E CRUELDADE EM MONTAIGNE

Ana Paula Manoel Felipe

Universidade Estadual de Londrina


Abstract

This text aims to analyze the essay "On Cruelty" from Book II of Montaigne's Essays. Montaigne develops his argument about virtue by highlighting the distinction between the good and the virtuous. Different types of moral dispositions are emphasized, including the moral disposition of habit, which is achieved through the exercise of virtue. The virtue of conflict, which presupposes difficulty in making decisions, and the moral disposition granted by fortune, concerning the conditions imposed by life, are also highlighted. Lastly, Montaigne argues that true evil is cruelty, rather than death, which demonstrates great sensitivity given the historical and religious context of the 16th century. Throughout the article, some comparisons are made between Montaigne's thoughts and those of La Bruyère, Schopenhauer, Marx, Seneca, Cicero, and Matias Aires.

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