Here we present and analyze an excerpt from the ‘Lithics’ of Orpheus (Orphei Lithica). Continue reading “Orphic theological and social views”
Orphic theological and social views
Alexander of Aphrodisias
“Alexander was a Peripatetic philosopher and commentator, active in the late second and early third century CE. He continued the tradition of writing close commentaries on Aristotle’s work established in the first century BCE by Andronicus of Rhodes, the editor of Aristotle’s ‘esoteric’ writings, which were designed for use in his school only. Continue reading “Alexander of Aphrodisias”
Ancient Skepticism (Part 5 – End)
4.4 Sextus Empiricus
Sextus’ (ca. 160–210 CE) epithet, Empiricus, indicates that he—at least at some point in his life—belonged to the empiricists, a medical school (on the relationship between medicine and skeptical therapeutic argument, cf. Voelke 1990; cf. Svavarson 2014 for a brief conspectus of Sextus’ philosophy). The empiricist medical school argued against rationalistic tendencies in medicine (Frede 1990; Allen 2010). Rationalism in medicine aims to give causal explanations as a basis for therapies. Continue reading “Ancient Skepticism (Part 5 – End)”
Ancient Skepticism (Part 4)
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)”
Ancient Skepticism (Part 3)
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)”
Ancient Skepticism (Part 2)
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)”
Novo Scriptorium 