In Montaigne’s essay “Of the Power of Imagination,” he discusses the power of the brain and the imagination to create reality. To some extent, he is capturing a concept that has been proven with science as we see with placebo affects. Additionally, our perception of other people can indeed influence our own feelings and behavior as he says “The sight of other people’s anguish causes very real anguish to me, and my feelings have often usurped the feelings of others. A continual cougher irritates my lungs and throat.” He’s articulating a real phenomenon created by the “narrow seam between the body and the soul.” In this case, the soul (psychological state) is our mental framework that can truly influence how we feel, as in a happier person can be healthier and live longer than a sadder person, considering stress and anguish can legitimately be a mortality factor the same way poor diet and lack of sleep can be even though they are entirely non-physical.
2 thoughts on “Montaigne – Imagination”
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Noah, I totally agree with Montaigne’s statement of how the brain can be powerful and creates reality throughout imagination. His work summed up in opening words “A strong imagination creates the event.” Montaigne argues situations in which imagination controlled illnesses, age or youth, gender, importance, and appearance. In the context of “the narrow seam between the soul and body” is the connection of body, soul, and mind has a purpose throughout human history. The more healthy and joyful person has a better chance of recovery. That did not change until today.
To piggyback off your posts, humans are hardwired for connection and the stories our imagination tell help form the reality we live in. The idea of mind over matter is becoming more important as more awareness towards mental health education is being spoken about in public forums. His views on how stress being so harmful to our longevity where revolutionary and are only just becoming widely accepted from the medical community in more modern times.