Skepticism challenged the possibility of certain knowledge, urging suspension of judgment. Hellenistic skeptics like Pyrrho argued that conflicting evidence and opinions make definitive claims unjustifiable. They sought peace of mind through withholding assent to non-evident propositions.
Skeptics developed techniques to undermine knowledge claims, including arguments from relativity and infinite regress. They aimed to create equipollence between opposing views, showing neither could be proven. This approach influenced later philosophy and encouraged critical examination of assumptions.
Pyrrho and Pyrrhonian Skepticism
Pyrrho's Philosophy and Key Concepts
- Pyrrho of Elis founded Pyrrhonian skepticism in ancient Greece around 300 BCE
- Emphasized suspending judgment about the true nature of reality
- Argued knowledge claims cannot be justified due to conflicting evidence and opinions
- Developed epoché as a practice of withholding assent to any non-evident proposition
- Sought ataraxia or peace of mind through suspension of judgment
- Believed equipollence or equal force of opposing arguments prevents conclusive knowledge
Practical Applications of Pyrrhonian Skepticism
- Advocated living according to appearances and customs without holding firm beliefs
- Encouraged questioning assumptions and critically examining claims to knowledge
- Aimed to achieve tranquility by avoiding dogmatic assertions about reality
- Influenced later philosophers like Sextus Empiricus who systematized Pyrrhonian arguments
- Contrasted with Academic skepticism which made some positive knowledge claims
Skeptical Concepts and Techniques
Core Skeptical Principles
- Acatalepsia asserts human knowledge is impossible to attain with certainty
- Argues our senses and reasoning are fallible and cannot provide indubitable truths
- Tropes refer to modes of argument used by skeptics to undermine knowledge claims
- Include arguments from relativity, infinite regress, and conflicting expert opinions
- Suspension of judgment involves refraining from making definitive truth claims
- Aims to avoid dogmatism and remain open to new evidence and perspectives
Skeptical Argumentation Strategies
- Sought to create equipollence between opposing views to show neither can be proven
- Used reductio ad absurdum to reveal contradictions in dogmatic positions
- Employed Socratic questioning to expose gaps in others' claimed knowledge
- Highlighted how cultural differences shape beliefs and perceptions of truth
- Pointed out unreliability of sense perception (optical illusions)
- Noted how emotions and biases can distort reasoning and judgments
Schools of Skepticism
Academic Skepticism
- Developed at Plato's Academy in the Hellenistic period
- Arcesilaus and Carneades were key figures who shaped Academic skepticism
- Argued knowledge is impossible but some beliefs are more reasonable than others
- Accepted probabilism allowing for practical decision-making based on likelihood
- Influenced Cicero and had significant impact on Roman philosophy and rhetoric
- Eventually declined as a distinct school but ideas persisted in various forms
Pyrrhonian Skepticism
- Founded by Pyrrho, later systematized by Aenesidemus and Sextus Empiricus
- Advocated complete suspension of judgment about all non-evident matters
- Rejected Academic skeptics' acceptance of probabilism as still too dogmatic
- Used skeptical arguments to achieve equipollence between opposing views
- Aimed for ataraxia through epoché rather than seeking probable knowledge
- Survived longer than Academic skepticism, influencing medieval and modern thought