ἀνθρώποισι πᾶσι μέτεστι γινώσκειν ἑωυτοὺς καὶ σωφρονεῖν.
4. Pyrrhonian Skepticism
4.1 Early Figures: Pyrrho and Timon
When comparing Pyrrhonian and Academic skepticism, two topics stand out: Pyrrhonism aims at tranquility; and it assigns pride of place to appearances. Anecdotes about Pyrrho’s life (365/60–275/70 BC) convey how unaffected he was (DL 9.61–69). Continue reading “Ancient Skepticism (Part 4)”
3. Academic Skepticism
3.1 Arcesilaus
With Arcesilaus (316/5–241/0 BCE) and his role as leader of the Academy (266/268 BCE), Plato’s Academy turns skeptical. Arcesilaus does not refer to himself as a skeptic—this nomenclature is a later designation. However, Arcesilaus stands at the beginning of a re-orientation in the history of Platonically inspired philosophy. Continue reading “Ancient Skepticism (Part 3)”
2. Skeptical Ideas in Early and Classical Greek Philosophy
2.1 Early Greek Philosophy
The early Greek philosophers develop distinctions between reality and appearances, knowledge and belief, and the non-evident and the evident. Continue reading “Ancient Skepticism (Part 2)”
The Greek word skepsis means investigation. By calling themselves skeptics, the ancient skeptics thus describe themselves as investigators. They also call themselves ‘those who suspend’ (ephektikoi), thereby signaling that their investigations lead them to suspension of judgment. Continue reading “Ancient Skepticism (Part 1)”
John Philoponus, a Christian philosopher, scientist, and theologian who lived approximately from 490 to 570 CE, is also known as John the Grammarian or John of Alexandria. The epithet ‘Philoponus’ means literally ‘Lover of toil’. Continue reading “John Philoponus: a philosopher and scientist of the 6th century AD – Newton’s first law formulated 1,000 years earlier?”
In a warming world, we expect to see increases in some extreme weather events. The science is pretty clear that in some parts of the world, drought and heat waves have and will continue to increase. In other areas, more severe storms along with precipitation and flooding have increased. Drought, heat waves, and floods are examples of changes to weather and climate patterns that will have costs for human society. Continue reading “Worst Mediterranean drought in 900 years has human fingerprints all over it”
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