Thinker · TH-0377
Sextus Empiricus
Sextus Empiricus was a Greek physician and Pyrrhonist philosopher, probably active in the second century CE; almost nothing is known of his life or…
Σέξτος Ἐμπειρικός
fl. 2nd century CE · uncertain (possibly Alexandria, Rome or Athens)
Traditions: Greek & Roman
Schools: Skepticism (Pyrrhonian & Academic)
Sextus Empiricus was a Greek physician and Pyrrhonist philosopher, probably active in the second century CE; almost nothing is known of his life or where he worked. His writings are the fullest surviving account of ancient Pyrrhonism. He presented skepticism not as a doctrine that nothing can be known but as an ability and practice: setting opposing appearances and arguments against each other until judgement is suspended, which is followed by tranquillity.
Key ideas
- Skepticism is an ability to set appearances and arguments in opposition, not a doctrine.
- Equal weight on both sides leads to suspension of judgement, and tranquillity follows.
- The skeptic lives by appearances, nature, custom and the crafts without affirming beliefs.
- Standard modes of argument, such as the regress and relativity, can be applied to any dogmatic claim.
Major works
- Outlines of Pyrrhonism (Πυρρώνειοι ὑποτυπώσεις)
- Against the Professors (Adversus Mathematicos)
- Against the Logicians
In the conversation
- Question What is the actual difference between Pyrrhonian and Academic sceptics?
- Question Why does logic count ‘if the moon is cheese, then 2 + 2 = 5’ as true?
- Question Why does asking “how do you know?” three times end every argument in our house?
- Question Nāgārjuna asked what proves the means of knowledge. Is that Agrippa’s trilemma in Sanskrit?
- Discussion Sextus, Nāgārjuna and Wang Chong within about a century: one sceptical moment, or three projects?
- Question Is it fair to call Nāgārjuna or Śrīharṣa a sceptic at all?
- Debate Vitaṇḍā is not always illegitimate: a critic with no thesis can still be doing philosophy
- Discussion Carneades on a night shift: how much certainty does a decision need?
- Debate Global scepticism refutes itself, and the famous escape routes do not work
- Question Did Epicurus actually make the argument from evil that carries his name?
- Reading group Reading group: Stoic logic in Diogenes Laertius, Lives Book VII