knowledge; neither the Atomist’s view of nature, nor the Pantheistic
view as it found expression in Heraclitus. The only thing which remains
certain amid universal uncertainty is abstract personality content with
itself, personality forming at once the starting-point and the goal of
the two contending systems.
The important back-influence of Stoicism and Epicureanism upon
Scepticism may be best gathered from the fact that Scepticism only
attained a wide extension and a more comprehensive basis in the New
Academy after the appearance of those systems. Before that time its
leading features had been indeed laid down by Pyrrho, but they had
never been developed into a permanent School of Scepticism, nor given
rise to an expanded theory of doubt.
[(3) Pyrrho and his followers.]
Pyrrho was a native of Elis, [1383] and may therefore have early made
the acquaintance of the Elean and Megarian criticism—that criticism, in
fact, which was the precursor of subsequent Scepticism. It can,
however, hardly be true that Bryso was his instructor. [1384] To
Anaxarchus, a follower of Democritus, he attached himself, and
accompanied that philosopher with Alexander’s army as far as India.
[1385] Perhaps, however, he is less indebted to Anaxarchus for the
sceptical than for the ethical parts of his teaching. [1386] At a later
period he resided in his native city, [1387] honoured by his
fellow-citizens, [1388] but in poor circumstances, [1389] which he bore
with his characteristic repose of mind. [1390] He died, it would
appear, at an advanced age, [1391] between 275 and 270 B.C., leaving no
writings behind. [1392] Even the ancients, therefore, only knew his
teaching by that of his pupils, among whom Timon of Phlius was the most
distinguished. [1393] Besides Timon several other of his pupils are
known by name. [1394] His School, however, was short-lived. [1395] Soon
after Timon it seems to have become extinct. [1396] Those who were
disposed to be sceptical now joined the New Academy, towards whose
founder even Timon made no secret of his grudge. [1397]
[B. Teaching of Pyrrho.]
[(1) Impossibility of knowledge.]
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