Skepticism

Halli Allgood,Clayton Thorniley, Sam Gougeonpoole

     Academic Skepticism

Academic Skepticism is one of the two branches of Ancient Skepticism, the other being Pyrrhonian. The distinction being that the Academics belonged to Plato’s Academy. Academic Skepticism saw it’s largest following from 273 B.C.E. to the first century B.C.E. Skeptics saw themselves as investigators and devoted their lives to questioning. Early skeptics focused their attention on the nature of belief stating, “Nothing is Known.” There are two main Academics too focus on, Arcesilaus and Carneades. Both attempted to use Socrates’ methods of investigation and testing beliefs. They also followed Socrates in the fact that neither felt the need to write down their arguments. Arcesilaus and Carneades pursued arguments with the Stoics specifically on knowledge and impressions. Arcesilaus was head of Plato’s Academy around 268 B.C.E. saw skepticism as a way to live a life based on reason. He argued that simple impressions can be seen in different ways making it impossible to draw conclusions, therefore Stoics could not be certain of more complex or important impressions or beliefs. He argued that judgment should be suspended and that if you look at both sides of an argument it makes it so you can believe neither. Carneades was head of the Academy from 213 to 129 B.C.E. Carneades expanded on Arceliaus’ arguments with the Stoics, asking if a wise person could distinguish similar things, such as the difference between two eggs or two grains of sand. Carneades took knowing nothing to a whole new level, that you could not even have the knowledge to know nothing. One of the large arguments against Skepticism comes from their own idea of suspending judgment. If a Skeptic does not hold any beliefs how is it possible for them to discover or put forth any meaningful thoughts.
-Sam Gougeonpoole

     Pyrrrohnism

Pyrrrohnism was founded by Phyrrho of Elis in the fourth century BCE. He is known best for his work in Sextus Empiricus and his 10 modes disputing the “dogmatic claims regarding the nature of things” Pyrrho is regarded as the founder of ancient skepticism and highly influenced philosophical thought in 17th century Europe. When he was alive, he was held to such regaurd that he was appointed as high priest even though he vastly went against the social norms. Some of Pyrrho’s teachings come from what he learned in India and has some similarities to Buddhism like the concept of “ultimate” truth. Pyrrhonism can be divided into three categories, ephectic (those who suspend judgment), Zetetic (engaged in seeking), aporeic (engaged in refutation). In Pyrrho’s teachings he says eudaimonia, happiness or welfare, is the main goal in life and proposed the neutral position of accepting things as they appear without further research. He believes that those who suspend judgement can reach tranquility.

     Modern Skepticism

Skepticism applies to everything in our life and simply put, is the doubt that something is true. In that sense it also is whether or not you believe in something. I think most common things people are still skeptical about today as they were years ago is religion and government. Its ultimately our independent decision to believe in something or not. You may be raised with ideas out onto you but as you get older you question them and decide whether to keep them or ditch them. Throughout history people have doubted governments and what is really going on behind the scenes and this doubt is usually a driving factor to finding the truth. So in a way being skeptical has the ability to be beneficial. We see this today in our own politics a lot, which tends to help keep the checks and balances that have been set in place. However what new ideas or products do we doubt. Are our conversations really private, does the internet improve our lives, are there better modes of transportation. Or we can take it down to an even more base level such as does our professor really know what he’s talking about, when will I use this in my career, is college necessary?

Questions:

1) What were the two schools of Ancient Skepticism?

2) What philosopher did Arcesiliaus and Carneades attempt to emulate?

3)What religion has similarities to Pyrrhonism?

4)What are the three categories that Pyrrhonism can be divided into?

Discussion:

What's something you’re skeptical about that we have not talked about?What’s a specific example of something your skeptical about that we did talk about?How much skeptical thinking do you think is healthy and how much do you think will just make you crazy?