IAS Lecture: Montaigne and the Question of Civil War
Guest Lecturer: Professor Antoine Compagnon
What insights does Montaigne offer on coexistence amidst social conflict?
The Institute of Advanced Studies invites you to the lecture by Professor Antoine Compagnon, Professor of French and Comparative Literature, Collège de France and Columbia University.
Visiting Tel Aviv University as part of the Lowy Distinguished Guest Professors series 2025–2026, Professor Compagnon will speak on “Speech Belongs Half to the Speaker, Half to the Listener” – Montaigne and the Question of Civil War.
His lecture will explore Montaigne’s reflections on conflict and coexistence, examining how the balance between speaker and listener shapes understanding in times of civil unrest—and what this can teach us about dialogue, empathy, and civic life today.
A Q&A session will follow, moderated by Prof. Michele Kahan from the Department of Literature.
When: December 17, 2025 | 4:00 pm
Where: Gilman Building, Room 496
Light refreshments will be served before the lecture.
The lecture will be conducted in English and is open to the public.
View the invitation flyer
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