Spinoza, Montaigne and the Limits of the Intellectual Horizon of Tolerance

Abstract

In an article that we can consider a classic, Filippo Mignini wondered if it was pos­sible to place the doctrine of Spinoza beyond the historical and intellectual horizon delimited by the concept of tolerance. Based on this idea, the aim of this paper is to reconsider the texts of Michel de Montaigne from the perspective opened by Mignini. We believe that from this point of view, we will be able to point out the ambivalent character of the essayist reflections on the theological-political conflicts; character that places him at the same time, prior to and beyond the intellectual horizon of tolerance. In­deed, it seems possible to say that the political and public position assumed by Montaigne can be placed one step ahead of the open tolerance, because he is reluctant to accept the news of Reformation in a society accustomed to Catholicism. However, the private attitude that he appears to have assumed, and the ethics of otherness that characterizes his thought, could provide enough ground to locate the author one step further of the concept of tolerance.