This lecture discusses key ideas from the Renaissance-era philosopher, critic, and essayist Michel De Montaigne's work Essays, specifically his essay "On Democritus and Heraclitus"It focuses upon his critical contrast of these two thinkers and the temperaments or attitudes towards life they represent, one of laughter and disdain, the other of sadness, compassion, and taking human affairs seriously. It ends with the claim that what is the specific property of human beings is being laughable and able to laugh. He also discusses several other matters, including his general approach in his Essays, and how we can look at the relations between our souls, external goods, and fortuneTo support my ongoing work, go to my Patreon site - www.patreon.com/sadlerIf you'd like to make a direct contribution, you can do so here - www.paypal.me/ReasonIO - or at BuyMeACoffee - www.buymeacoffee.com/A4quYdWoMYou can find over 4,000 philosophy videos in my main YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/user/gbisadlerYou can find Montaigne's Essays here - https://amzn.to/4l3iKfH