Erasmus and the Need for Shared Values

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Abstract Many people in the Netherlands are familiar with the image of Erasmus, who has become a symbol of wisdom and independence of spirit in this country. Yet it is difficult to truly understand this thinker, in part because he constantly played with language and perspectives and enjoyed wrong-footing readers. At the same time, this playfulness in Erasmus is exactly what makes him so interesting, especially to today’s readers. The philosopher developed a way of thinking that appeals to modern-day people, who value their own individuality but also need shared values: the question of what binds us. This essay is an attempt to unravel Erasmus’ challenging thinking and his philosophical principles, in the expectation that his method of thinking could be helpful in the current discussion about the need for shared values.