Sextus Empiricus and Pyrrhonean Scepticism

by Alan Bailey

Overview

Alan Bailey offers a clear and vigorous exposition and defence of the philosophy of Sextus Empiricus, one of the most influential of ancient thinkers, the father of philosophical scepticism. The subsequent sceptical tradition in philosophy has not done justice to Sextus: his views stand up today as remarkably insightful, offering a fruitful way to approach issues of knowledge, understanding, belief, and rationality. Bailey's refreshing presentation of Sextus to a modern philosophical readership rescues scepticism from the sceptics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780198238522
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/20/2002
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 5.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Alan Bailey is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of York.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Scepticism2. Pyrrho's Connection with Pyrrhonean Scepticism3. Arcesilaus and Suspension of Judgement4. The New Academy and the Origins of Aenesidemean Pyrrhonism5. Pyrrhonism from Aenesidemus to Sextus Empiricus6. An Outline of Sextus' Pyrrhonism7. A Life without Beliefs? 8. Pyrrhonism and Common Sense9. Is the Pyrrhonist a Proto-Phenomenalist? 10. Arguments and Reasons11. Pyrrhonism and Constrained BeliefSelect Bibliography, Index

Editorial Reviews

"The core of this book is a promising one...the debate is well worth having." —The Philosophical Review

From the Publisher