Pyrrhonism

Pyrrhonism

Pyrrhonism, or Pyrrhonian skepticism, was a school of skepticism founded by Aenesidemus in the first century BC and recorded by Sextus Empiricus in the late 2nd century or early 3rd century AD. It was named after Pyrrho, a philosopher who lived from c. 360 to c. 270 BC, although the relationship between the philosophy of the school and of the historical figure is murky. Pyrrhonism has become influential during the past few centuries when the modern scientific worldview was born.

Whereas 'academic' skepticism, with as its most famous adherent Carneades, claims that "Nothing can be known, not even this", Pyrrhonian skeptics withhold any assent with regard to non-evident propositions and remain in a state of perpetual inquiry. According to them, even the statement that nothing can be known is dogmatic.

Pyrrhonian skepticism is similar to the form of skepticism called Zeteticism promoted by Marcello Truzzi.

ee also

*Aenesidemus
*Agrippa the Sceptic
*Arcesilaus
*Pyrrho
*Quietism
*Sextus Empiricus
*Timon

External links

*On Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
** [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/skepticism-ancient/ "Ancient Skepticism"]
** [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/arcesilaus/ "Arcesilaus"]
** [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/carneades/ "Carneades"]
** [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pyrrho/ "Pyrrho"]
*On the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy:
** [http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/aeneside.htm "Aenesidemus"]
** [http://www.iep.utm.edu/s/skepanci.htm "Ancient Greek Skepticism"]
** [http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/arcesil.htm "Arcesilaus"]
** [http://www.iep.utm.edu/c/carneade.htm "Carneades"]
** [http://www.iep.utm.edu/p/pyrrho.htm "Pyrrho"]


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  • Pyrrhonism — • A system of skepticism founded by the Greek philosopher Pyrrho Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Pyrrhonism     Pyrrhonism     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Pyrrhonism — Pyr rho*nism, n. [From Pyrrho, the founder of a school of skeptics in Greece (about 300 b. c.): cf. F. pyrrhonisme.] Skepticism; universal doubt. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pyrrhonism — [pir′ə niz΄əm] n. 1. the doctrine taught by Pyrrho (c. 360 c. 270 B.C. ), a Gr. Skeptic, that all knowledge, including the testimony of the senses, is uncertain 2. extreme skepticism Pyrrhonist n …   English World dictionary

  • pyrrhonism — a school or method of doubt regarding what is held as knowledge. • Pyrrhonian skepticism or pyrrhonism a Hellenistic school of skepticism that inquired about, but did not reject, dogmatic beliefs because the lack of belief is not the same as… …   Mini philosophy glossary

  • Pyrrhonism — noun Etymology: French pyrrhonisme, from Pyrrhon Pyrrho, 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher, from Greek Pyrrhōn Date: circa 1670 1. the doctrines of a school of ancient extreme skeptics who suspended judgment on every proposition compare… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Pyrrhonism — Pyrrhonist, n. Pyrrhonistic, adj. /pir euh niz euhm/, n. 1. the Skeptic doctrines of Pyrrho and his followers. 2. extreme or absolute skepticism. [1660 70; < Gk Pýrrhon PYRRHO + ISM] * * * …   Universalium

  • Pyrrhonism — Pyrrho of Elis …   Philosophy dictionary

  • PYRRHONISM —    philosophic scepticism.    See PYRRHO …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • pyrrhonism — total or radical skepticism Philosophical Isms …   Phrontistery dictionary

  • Pyrrhonism — a sub philosophy of skepticism that holds that any assent with regard to non evident propositions will always remain in a state of perpetual inquiry; therefore, proof or disproof of an observation is not necessarily a valid reason for holding an… …   Mini philosophy glossary

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