Martin leads lively discussion of Montaigne in new series for undergrads

History Professor John Jeffries Martin remarked that French philosopher Michel de Montaigne would have been pleased with the small group discussion session held Oct. 12 – and particularly by the global representation of the Duke students participating.

“(Montaigne was) one of the first thinkers in Western Europe to theorize the global,” Martin said, noting that though his focus is on Italian history, he frequently returns to Montaigne because his works “grow with you.”

Joining remotely from Ankara in Turkey, Toronto and New Jersey to discuss Montaigne’s essay “On Repentance,” the group considered the differences between our public and private lives, how conditions wrought by COVID-19 can alter a student’s sense of self, and much more.

The virtual gathering occurred as part of a new discussion series for first- and second-year students, Exploring Self and Community in Dark Times. With a variety of faculty-led sessions continuing throughout this academic year, each installment involves examining the world through a humanities lens.

Much of the discussion about COVID-19 has focused on health care and policy, but our current global crisis also highlights the relevance of rigorous, critical humanistic thinking, according to the faculty working group that created the discussion series. It’s an opportunity to better understand ourselves in relationship to each other and to the world.

All sessions are hosted on Zoom and attendance is capped at 16 participants. You can register here https://trinity.duke.edu/exploring-self-and-community-dark-times.