While the risks of intellectual interdependence are obvious, the advantages are rarely mentioned. Widespread silence about the advantages explains why many people dismiss intellectual independence as unworkable or not affordable. Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) played a pivotal role in affirming intellectual independence as advantageous, first of all, for its practitioners. His literary output proves the feasibility of exercising intellectual independence in a hostile context. The path towards intellectual independence was widened by Voltaire (1694-1778). He demonstrated the vast benefits drawn by a determined practitioner despite his powerful enemies. I regard it as crucial to state those benefits because they are far from self-evident. History supplies compelling illustrations of those benefits, but not everyone has the patience to look for them. Excellent friends constitute a most valuable outcome of intellectual independence. Individuals who speak out the truth are particularly adept at identifying like-minded people. Strong friendships rely on the virtues (truthfulness, courage, self-discipline, etc.) of the concerned persons, but those virtues can only be perceived when they are publicly exercised. Montaigne acknowledged the insights and enjoyment drawn from conversing with his friend Etienne de La Boetie (1530-1563). I doubt that they would have become friends if they had refrained from speaking freely. Here is the link to the original article: https://johnvespasian.com/michel-de-montaigne-and-the-advantages-of-intellectual-independence/

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