Michel Onfray

Michel Onfray is a prolific French writer and philosopher.

He has authored more than 100 books during his career. His worldview is defined by several key concepts. He describes himself as an atheist and a hedonist. He also identifies as a libertarian and a left-wing anarchist. His ideas are heavily influenced by thinkers like Friedrich Nietzsche and Epicurus. He also draws from the Cynic and Cyrenaic schools of thought. His work explores how philosophy can connect to everyday life, art, and politics.

Onfray's philosophy is centered on a concept called ethical hedonism. He defines hedonism as an introspective attitude toward life. This means seeking pleasure for oneself while also providing pleasure to others. A vital rule in his system is that one must never cause harm to others to obtain this pleasure. He calls this a "joyous utilitarianism." This approach seeks to use the capacities of the human brain and body to their fullest extent. He believes philosophy should be a tool for art, politics, and making daily decisions. This method encourages what he calls "micro-revolutions" by individuals and small groups.

One of Onfray's major academic projects is the "Counter-History of Philosophy." This is a series of books that examines different historical periods in Western thought. He has published nine books within this specific project. The series covers topics from ancient wisdom to the 20th century. He also explores the ideas of thinkers like Jean-Marie Guyau and Friedrich Nietzsche. Onfray argues that traditional history often picks one single tradition to represent the truth. He believes this dominant view is often an idealist or spiritualist lineage. This lineage is often compatible with Judeo-Christian worldviews. Onfray seeks to rehabilitate materialist and sensualist thinking instead.

Onfray distinguishes between two different ways of looking at the world. He describes one line of thought as coming "down from the heavens." This includes philosophers like Plato, Kant, and Levinas. These thinkers often seek a world behind the scenes to explain our reality. In contrast, Onfray promotes a line of force that "rises from the earth." This perspective is satisfied with the physical world as it is. He believes philosophy should be a reflection of personal experience. He encourages people to celebrate their senses through music, painting, and fine cuisine. This includes exploring the relationship between philosophers and things like wine.

Education has played a significant role in Onfray's life and work. He was born in Argentan to a family of Norman farmers. From ages 10 to 14, he attended a Catholic boarding school in Giel. He has described this period of his life as a time of suffering. After earning a degree in philosophy, he taught at a high school in Caen. He worked as a teacher from 1983 until 2002. In 2002, he resigned from his teaching position to start a new project. He established the Université populaire de Caen, or the People's University. This institution offers tuition-free education to those who cannot access state universities.

Onfray uses the profits from his books to help finance the Université populaire. This school is based on his 2004 manifesto, *La communauté philosophique*. The project has seen enormous success and has many imitators. There are now similar schools in Picardy, Arras, Lyon, Narbonne, and Le Mans. Five more were in preparation at the time of his writing. The French national public radio network, France Culture, even broadcasts his lectures. His books have also achieved massive commercial success. His work *Atheist Manifesto* was a number one bestseller in France and Italy. It was the top-selling nonfiction book in France for several months in 2005.

Onfray's ideas often spark significant debate and controversy. He has faced criticism from historians regarding historical errors in his work. Some scholars have challenged his interpretations of various philosophical movements. His book *Le crépuscule d'une idole* caused controversy for its criticism of Sigmund Freud. In this work, he questioned the effectiveness of Freudian methods. He also holds strong views on religion and politics. He has argued for the "Christ myth theory," suggesting Jesus was not a historical person. His political views have ranged from endorsing the French Revolutionary Communist League to criticizing modern leaders. Despite the debates, his influence remains wide. In 2014, an asteroid was named 289992 Onfray in his honor.