of Elis. Pyrrhon von Elis. Pyrrhon - Ancient scepticism

Ancient Scepticism

Ancient Philosophies

This series provides fresh and engaging new introductions to the major schools of philosophy of antiquity. Designed for students of philosophy and classics, the books offer clear and rigorous presentation of core ideas and lay the foundation for a thorough understanding of their subjects. Primary texts are handled in translation and the readers are provided with useful glossaries, chronologies and guides to the primary source material.

Ancient Scepticism
Harald Thorsrud

Cynics
William Desmond

Neoplatonism
Pauliina Remes

Presocratics
James Warren

Stoicism
John Sellars

The Ancient Commentators on Plato and Aristotle
Miira Tuominen

Aristotle
Vasilis Politis

Classical Islamic Philosophy
Deborah Black

Confucianism
Paul Goldin

Epicureanism
Tim OKeefe

Plato
Andrew Mason

Socrates
Mark McPherran

Harald Thorsrud

First published 2009 by Acumen

Published 2014 by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

Harald Thorsrud, 2009

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ISBN: 978-1-84465-130-6 (hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-84465-131-3 (paperback)

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Typeset in Minion.

For her patience, understanding and love, this book is dedicated to Laura: amicus certus in re incerta cernitur.

When I was a graduate student a slogan was proposed for a department T-shirt: Philosophy. Weve done less in 2,500 years than most people do in a single day. The slogan was rejected. But it reflects a serious sceptical sentiment. When we consider the remarkable progress made by science in the past 400 years, philosophy appears in an unfavourable light. At a minimum, we would like to know why there is so little agreement among professional academics regarding the solutions to philosophical problems, their proper articulation, and even the methods suitable to resolving them.

My desire to find a satisfactory explanation of pervasive disagreement has sustained my interest in the ancient Sceptics. From their arguments and strategies, we can construct various explanations for why philosophers have not and perhaps will not reach consensus. Th ere are, of course, plenty of non-sceptical solutions as well, and I am not convinced that I have a satisfactory explanation yet. But reflecting on the arguments of the ancient Sceptics has proved to be immensely valuable in getting to grips with the broad issue of the limits of reason.

The Sceptics also have some fascinating things to say about the proper response to our rational limitations. These responses are meant to show how Scepticism is a viable position and not merely a set of arguments confined to the study or the classroom. While I cannot say that I have tried to live without beliefs, as the Sceptics suggest we should, their proposals have inspired me to think more clearly about fundamental problems regarding the nature of rational belief and appearances, and the roles they play in action.

It is my hope that this book will encourage readers interested in these and related issues to further their own enquiries. I have tried not to presuppose familiarity with earlier Greek philosophers or with the Sceptics contemporaries, instead supplying the details where necessary. I have aimed at producing a coherent historical narrative in which to situate the development and transmission of ancient sceptical arguments and strategies.

Nearly every portion of this account, however, is controversial. Th is is why I have tried to be thorough in providing references to both primary and secondary sources. The references can always be ignored, but they will be helpful for those interested in pursuing a particular idea, especially given the variety of plausible interpretations that are oft en available. Similarly, the guide to further reading is probably far more extensive than many readers will require. But as it is arranged in sections corresponding to the major figures and periods of ancient Scepticism, I hope it will prove useful for further study.

I had the good fortune to be introduced to the ancient Sceptics by Jim Hankinson and Paul Woodruff, and to Hellenistic philosophy more generally by Stephen White. Th ey were excellent guides, as well as models, and have given me a great deal of encouragement. I am very grateful to the publishers anonymous readers who provided many detailed and insightful comments, as well as to Tim OKeefe, Wilhelm Nightingale and Ralph Anske, all of whom read and commented on the manuscript. Also, my students in a seminar at Agnes Scott College generously offered helpful comments on early drafts of the chapters. Although it is likely that some errors or oversights remain, this book is far better for the revisions I have been able to make in response to this critical attention.

My thanks to Kate Williams for expert copy-editing and to Steven Gerrard at Acumen for seeing this project through and for locating the spectacular painting of Carneades on the cover.