Knowledge, Theory of -- Early works to 1800; Philosophy -- Early works to 1800
elucidation given in 1596 by Petrus Valentia in his book entitled
_Academica_ (pp. 313--316 of the reprint by Orelli). With regard to (3), it
it not difficult to see wherein Philo's "lie" consisted. He denied the
popular view of Arcesilas and Carneades, that they were apostles of doubt,
to be correct (12). I may add that from the mention of Philo's ethical
works at the outset of Stobaeus' _Ethica_, he would appear to have
afterwards left dialectic and devoted himself to ethics. What is important
for us is, that Cic. never seems to have made himself the defender of the
new Philonian dialectic. By him the dialectic of Carneades is treated as
genuinely Academic. _Revolvitur_: cf. _De Div._ II. 13, also 148 of this
book. _Eam definitionem_: it is noteworthy that the whole war between the
sceptics and the dogmatists was waged over the definition of the single
sensation. Knowledge, it was thought, was a homogeneous compound of these
sense atoms, if I may so call them, on all hands it was allowed that _all_
knowledge ultimately rests on sense; therefore its possibility depends on
the truth of the individual perception of sense.
§§19--29. Summary. If the senses are healthy and unimpaired, they give
perfectly true information about external things. Not that I maintain
the truth of _every_ sensation, Epicurus must see to that. Things which
impede the action of the senses must always be removed, in practice we
always do remove them where we can (19). What power the cultivated
senses of painters and musicians have! How keen is the sense of touch!
(20). After the perceptions of sense come the equally clear perceptions
of the mind, which are in a certain way perceptions of sense, since
they come through sense, these rise in complexity till we arrive at
definitions and ideas (21). If these ideas may possibly be false, logic
memory, and all kinds of arts are at once rendered impossible (22).
That true perception is possible, is seen from moral action. Who would
act, if the things on which he takes action might prove to be false?
(23) How can wisdom be wisdom if she has nothing certain to guide her?
There must he some ground on which action can proceed (24). Credence
must be given to the thing which impels us to action, otherwise action
is impossible (25). The doctrines of the New Academy would put an end
to all processes of reasoning. The fleeting and uncertain can never be
discovered. Rational proof requires that something, once veiled, should
be brought to light (26). Syllogisms are rendered useless, philosophy
too cannot exist unless her dogmas have a sure basis (27). Hence the
Academics have been urged to allow their _dogma_ that perception is
impossible, to be a certain perception of their minds. This, Carneades
said, would be inconsistent, since the very dogma excludes the
supposition that there can be _any_ true perception (28). Antiochus
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account