Lessons from Montaigne for character development in higher education

Abstract

Over the past decades, character education has become an important approach in the fields of education and psychology. From within the paradigm of neo-Aristotelianism, calls have arisen for educators to develop virtues in their students to empower them, enable their flourishing, and, hence, increase their well-being. This chapter argues for the inclusion of the educational treatise ‘On the Education of Children’ of the French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) in modern discussions of (neo-Aristotelian) character education. Montaigne’s work may complement existing neo-Aristotelian thought, exemplified in this chapter by the Jubilee Centre Framework for Character Education in Schools, by offering unique insights in what educators ought to do in practice to develop their students’ (moral) character and by emphasizing the value of a personal, individual, and moralistically exemplary style of teaching. Overall, we argue that Montaigne’s ideas may help to develop the virtue of students and, by extension, their resilience and well-being.