The Conduit of Modernity

There is a historical gap between the origins of modern political philosophy and the origins of modern philosophy. While Machiavelli is thought of as the first modern political philosopher, Descartes is thought of as the first modern philosopher. Machiavelli is modern in re-introducing the autonomy principle into philosophy. This in turn allows him to take a new causal analysis of history and derive from it historical induction. Descartes' modernity is based on the connection between his epistemological turn and modern scientific practice. The thought of Montaigne forms a bridge across this historical gap. Montaigne develops a new form of skepticism in response to Machiavelli's thought. In turn this new form of skepticism becomes the basis of Montaigne's own political theory and Descartes project of pure epistemology. Thus, Montaigne is a conduit of modernity.