"Quand on se consacre à l’art de critiquer". Réflexions de Montesquieu sur la critique

This paper aims at analyzing Montesquieu’s ideas on debate and criticism using a new on-line research tool called Montesquieu’s Virtual Library , recently pub- lished by the researchers preparing the critical edition of the author’s Complete Works . After a brief overview of Montesquieu’s general attitude towards contro- versy and criticism, I intend to compare the collection entitled My Thoughts with the Catalogue of Montesquieu’s library in order to outline his culture of de- bate. I will argue that the Catalogue partially informs us about his knowledge on well-known theological, philosophical, aesthetic and literary debates and pro- vides a better understanding of his ideas on criticism. I would like to examine his opinion on religious controversy and on critical attitude in philosophical de- bates. Finally, I intend to analyze in more detail his views on literary debates