Montaigne has a lot to say especially about customs. He starts this essay by stating that "custom is a violent and treacherous schoolmistress". He continues on using words like tyrannic and furious. Then states "We see her, at every turn, forcing and violating the rules of nature: 'Custom is the best master of all things' (Pliny). In the next paragraph he states that "custom stupefies our senses".
That is a very strong opinion. Do you agree? disagree? Why?
I have to believe that customs have good and bad teachings within them. We can unfortunately make many decisions based on our customs instead of stepping back and asking is the idea right or wrong, is the idea true or false. We make judgements all day long just based on our custom or traditions.
For example, I recently went to Italy. A fabulous experience. And I experienced how I was making judgements based on my traditions, in particular my eating traditions. Italy enjoys seafood (raw and cooked) way more then I am accustomed to. I found that because I don't eat seafood often, when I went to restaurants I didn't choose seafood options. All based on my customs and expectations. Such a small thing yet I limited my choices each time because of my customs.
This experience made me wonder what judgments I have made that are wrong but based on customs or traditions in my life. I wondered about how I was not able to see options because of my customs or see things incorrectly for the same reason. Am I just obeying ideas without understanding or questioning ideas?
So many things to think about. I am so happy that I have continued to pursue a leadership-style education just because it challenges my traditions and customs and expands my thinking. In another essay Montaigne wrote "Human understanding is marvelously enlightened by daily conversations with men, for we are, otherwise, compressed and heaped up in ourselves, and have our sight limited to the length of our own noses."
I agree with this statement. Discussion has been a huge part of my learning. I really hope that my sight is not so limited that it does not extend past the end of my nose.
That is a very strong opinion. Do you agree? disagree? Why?
I have to believe that customs have good and bad teachings within them. We can unfortunately make many decisions based on our customs instead of stepping back and asking is the idea right or wrong, is the idea true or false. We make judgements all day long just based on our custom or traditions.
For example, I recently went to Italy. A fabulous experience. And I experienced how I was making judgements based on my traditions, in particular my eating traditions. Italy enjoys seafood (raw and cooked) way more then I am accustomed to. I found that because I don't eat seafood often, when I went to restaurants I didn't choose seafood options. All based on my customs and expectations. Such a small thing yet I limited my choices each time because of my customs.
This experience made me wonder what judgments I have made that are wrong but based on customs or traditions in my life. I wondered about how I was not able to see options because of my customs or see things incorrectly for the same reason. Am I just obeying ideas without understanding or questioning ideas?
So many things to think about. I am so happy that I have continued to pursue a leadership-style education just because it challenges my traditions and customs and expands my thinking. In another essay Montaigne wrote "Human understanding is marvelously enlightened by daily conversations with men, for we are, otherwise, compressed and heaped up in ourselves, and have our sight limited to the length of our own noses."
I agree with this statement. Discussion has been a huge part of my learning. I really hope that my sight is not so limited that it does not extend past the end of my nose.
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