On Being Human in Non-Fiction Literature Book Review by Metro

Compares Michel de Montaigne's "Of Experience" and Francis Bacon's "Of Truth" as examples of two humanist authors.
# 150396 | 1,884 words | 6 sources | MLA | 2012 | NZ
Published on Feb 09, 2012 in English (Analysis) , Literature (Comparative Literature) , Literature (World)


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Description:

This paper explains that Michel de Montaigne's in his "Of Experience" and Francis Bacon's in his "Of Truth", both humanist authors, argue what it means to be human but with different opinions. Montaigne relates that humans are constantly debating and changing their opinions; whereas, the author points out, Bacon has a more linear argument in that there can only be one way and one truth. The paper stresses that Montaigne's essays take an informal approach to their topics; however, Bacon's writings are much more formal and authoritarian in their form and delivery.

From the Paper:

"Where Bacon believed that humans should focus their attention on their minds and ignore their bodies, Montaigne instead took the opposite approach, suggesting
that our bodies are the gateway to understanding what it means to be human. As mentioned, Bacon's approach to his writing was very formal, however Montaigne preferred to write informally, where he would give his own personal experiences and relate them to what he was discussing; where Bacon thought first about the mind, Montaigne thought first about the body. Despite his focus on the body in "Of Experience", Montaigne does not ignore the idea of the human soul (mind), however he sees them as connected and not separate, whereby the soul should not refuse to be joined together with the body. He also suggests that without the mind we would be nothing but stupid, but without the body we would be nothing at all. "The glorious masterpiece of man is to live", and in order to live we must bring our body and mind together, because separate we are inadequate. To separate the mind and body, Montaigne is arguing, would result in no experiences at all, for it is the body through which the mind experiences, and the mind through which the body experiences."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Montaigne, Michel de. From Essais: Of Experience. (1587). Translated by Charles Cotton. ENGL210, The Essay and Beyond: Learn website. University of Canterbury, 2011. Web. 6 August 2011.
  • Montaigne, Michel de. From Essais: Of Experience. (1587). Translated by Donald M. Frame. ENGL210, The Essay and Beyond: Learn website. University of Canterbury, 2011. Web. 6 August 2011.
  • Montaigne, Michel de. From Essais: Of Coaches (1585). Translated by Charles Cotton. ENGL210, The Essay and Beyond: Learn website. University of Canterbury, 2011. Web. 6 August 2011.
  • Montaigne, Michel de. From Essais: Of A Monstrous Child (1580). Translated by Donald M Frame. ENGL210, The Essay and Beyond: Learn website. University of Canterbury, 2011. Web. 6 August 2011.
  • Bacon, Francis. From The Essays Or Counsels, Civil And Moral: Of Truth (1601). ENGL210, The Essay and Beyond: Learn website. University of Canterbury, 2011. Web. 6 August 2011. 96251310

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APA Format

On Being Human in Non-Fiction Literature (2012, February 09) Retrieved May 22, 2013, from http://www.academon.com/book-review/on-being-human-in-non-fiction-literature-150396/

MLA Format

"On Being Human in Non-Fiction Literature" 09 February 2012. Web. 22 May. 2013. <http://www.academon.com/book-review/on-being-human-in-non-fiction-literature-150396/>

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