Philosophy begins in response to the Delphic injunction, "Know Thyself." The essay begins more modestly, with Montaigne's ques- tion, "What do I know?" The tentative, questioning nature of the essay permits it to explore the doubts, terrors, and hopes that arise during periods of great change. According to 0. B. Hardison, this explains why the essay-along with the office memo-is the most widely read form of writing today.

by 0.B. Hardison, Jr.
The ancient god Proteus knew t...