“History” versus “metaphysics” in the works by Gabriel Naudé

All Gabriel Naudé’s writings represent a battle against error and irrationality not in the name of absolute values, but using history. Naudé proposes a method of verification which he calls « la censure » and which alone can offer true knowledge, that of proven facts. History replaces metaphysics as the basis of knowledge. It also has an educational function since it serves to « guérir du sot » by training people not to believe lightly.