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)” →