B. Jolibert, Montaigne. L'Education Humaniste - Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas

French Literature Reviews - 2026

B. Jolibert, Montaigne. L'Education Humaniste
Philosophy, Anthropology and Ideas

Bernard Jolibert, Montaigne. L'Education humaniste, Paris, L'Harmattan, 2009, 198 pages.

Overview

  • Revitalizing the interpretation of the overly famous dichotomy between a "well-formed" and a "well-stuffed" head, and analyzing how the radical insights of the Essays inform the very contemporary practice of introducing philosophy to children, this book highlights a Montaigne who embodies a tradition of humanist educational thought that modernity both threatens and demands.

About the Author

  • An agrégé in philosophy and Doctor of Letters, Bernard Jolibert is Professor Emeritus in educational sciences. After teaching at a Teachers' College (École normale) and an IUFM, he currently serves as a correspondent for the Philosophy of Education Research Group (IUFM of Réunion).

Humanist educational thought has long engaged with the legacy of the French Renaissance, particularly through the writings of sixteenth-century figures who rethought the relationship between learning, judgment, and personal formation. Bernard Jolibert examines Michel de Montaigne's famous texts. The volume positions these historical reflections against contemporary concerns regarding how children are introduced to philosophical inquiry and critical thinking.

Readers interested in the history of education and Renaissance humanist philosophy may find this volume relevant to their inquiries. The study traces lines of continuity between early modern pedagogical principles and modern educational theory, engaging with established discussions on the role of philosophy in early learning. It provides an overview of a major figure in the intellectual tradition of the humanities.