Michel de Montaigne's theory of social influence

If someone asks us to explain what it is to have power, it is very possible that we define it as having a lot of influence on others. This can be very useful, since it is still a way to extend our resources when it comes to enforcing our will. The fact you have influence on others, for example, thanks to our popularity, can become more useful and more effective than money in conditioning the behavior of others.

Now... what is the price of being a reference figure for others? As early as the 16th century, the philosopher Michel de Montaigne reflected on the way in which fame and influence enslave us.

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Who was Michel de Montaigne?

Michel Eyquem de Montaigne was one of the most important philosophers and essayists of Renaissance Europe. Born in 1533 into a wealthy family living in a castle near Bordeaux, he was unable to enjoy the luxuries of his lineage during his early childhood. since his parents sent him to live with a poor peasant family until he was three years old, in principle so that he would know what life is humble.

Later enjoyed a liberal education based on the habit of questioning everything, a trend that was gaining strength in Europe after centuries of religious dogmatism. Of course, until she was six years old she was only allowed to speak Latin, and French was her second language.

The efforts of the Montaigne family to make him a member of the intellectual elite paid off. In 1571 he became part of parliament, where he worked for more than a decade until he felt to enjoy the family inheritance.

In the year 1680, in addition to beginning to travel through Europe, published his first set of essays, which would be followed by two other volumes later. He lived without going through great financial concerns and shortly before his death he returned to political office, this time as mayor of Bordeaux.

Michel Montaigne's theory of influence

There are many ways to influence others without having a large reserve of money; for example, being in a position where the decisions we make can objectively benefit or greatly harm others. Many politicians would fall into this category.

But, beyond this... Does having a lot of power of influence thanks to fame have a price? Montaigne believed so and that this price is high. Let's see how he argued it.

1. Tranquility is the preferred state

Montaigne believed that everything we do, in principle, we do to live without worry. The natural state of the human being, therefore, is not to be forced to face unnecessary moments of stress, and to accept the bad with simplicity and without drama.

2. Peace of mind has to do with the public image

For the simple fact of living in society, what we are going to experience depends in part on how we interact with others. Our neighbors and fellow citizens can greatly affect our lives.

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3. We try to give a good image

To be able to cushion the risk that our relationships with others go bad, we try to have a good public image, something that can make others have a good disposition when dealing with us. But, at the same time, we can try not only to avoid risks, but to use a very powerful public image to influence others and enjoy privileged treatment.

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4. Public image is an extra problem

Montaigne believed that although the purpose of having fame or a positive social image is to enjoy more pleasant living conditions that give us access to resources that we might not have access to without these elements, their presence implies many concerns extra.

In order to perform the maintenance of that tool that we use to influence othersWe spend time and effort to show off, to make public appearances, and even to create so-called friendships in order to stay relevant.

5. Peace of mind and fame are incompatible

The possibility of being famous may seem very attractive in certain circumstances, but in any case it is something that guarantees us to have to attend to extra concerns. Somehow we speculate with our well-being, complicating our lives to maintain an artifact (public image) that requires constant maintenance and can break completely in a matter of seconds, for example, if it is discovered that in a concert in which we are singing there are playback.

Michel de Montaigne's philosophy, then, leads us to take life simply.