Today in class we were able to go more in depth with the text, and came up with; the first thesis is more of a thing done universally (like logic, math, and even smiling!), and the second thesis is more so done in practice. There is no standard by which one culture can judge another.
One of the most important paragraphs within the entire piece in on page 18, in which it states: "So we may well call these people barbarians...but not in respect to ourselves, who surpass them in every kind of barbarity." There is a somewhat scale in which we are being placed on comparatively to the barbarians.
On page 19, the paragraph about the Hungarians tells the reader how the Hungarians will torture their enemies until they confess to the crime committed, and then they let them go. Why? Well, their honor and worth of a man is dependent on the man's heart and will and soul... that is where his real honor and valor lies. It's an honor based culture, and once the opponent is humiliated they are trusted they will not do it again, because that is the lowest a man can feel, and will no longer attain that honor again.
On page 20, the author calls these cultures and their ancient customs lacking in reasoning and judgement and their minds are stupid that they can not adapt to any other course. This was shocking that he would call the cultural differences stupid. I mean it could be a kind of satirical humor, much like comedy with a purpose.
Lastly, when he is discussing the three things in which travelers had found most amazing about the culture; and Montaigne is only able to remember 2 of the 3. I think he is lying. He is such a careful and detailed writer that there is no way he forgot, and even if he had forgotten, he would not have mentioned there were 3! Its almost as though he wants the careful readers to depict what the third point is. Maybe cultural differences, and adaptations. Not sure yet.
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