Who is Pyrrho in Philosophy
Pyrrho was a Greek philosopher who lived in the XNUMXth century BC. He is considered the founder of Pyrrhonian skepticism, a philosophical current that questions the possibility of achieving absolute knowledge and defends the suspension of judgment in relation to all things. Pyrrho believed that the search for truth was futile, as all opinions are equally plausible and there are no objective criteria to distinguish true from false.
Pyrrho's life
Little is known about Pyrrho's life, as there are not many historical records from the time. It is known that he was born in the city of Elis, in Greece, around 360 BC, and that he was a disciple of Anaxarchus, another skeptical philosopher. Pyrrho traveled to Egypt and India, where he came into contact with local philosophers and sages, absorbing their ideas and influencing his own philosophy.
Pyrrhonian skepticism
Pyrrhonian skepticism is a philosophical current that is based on the idea that we cannot be certain about anything. Pyrrho argued that all things are equally plausible and that there are no objective criteria for distinguishing true from false. He advocated the suspension of judgment in relation to all things, as he believed that we cannot know the absolute truth.
Suspension of judgment
For Pyrrho, suspension of judgment is the correct philosophical attitude towards the world. He believed that we should suspend our opinions and beliefs, as they are based on deceptive appearances and do not correspond to reality. Pyrrho argued that all opinions are equally plausible and that we cannot be certain about anything, therefore we must suspend judgment regarding all things.
Pyrrho's influence
Pyrrho's philosophy has had a great influence throughout history. His teachings were transmitted by his disciples and influenced other philosophical currents, such as Stoicism and Neoplatonism. Pyrrhonian skepticism also had a significant impact on modern philosophy, influencing thinkers such as David Hume and Immanuel Kant.
The critique of Pyrrhonian skepticism
Pyrrhonian skepticism is not a philosophical current without criticism. Many philosophers argue that suspension of judgment regarding all things is impractical and leads to extreme relativism. Furthermore, Pyrrhonian skepticism can lead to inaction and lack of commitment, because if we cannot be sure about anything, why act or make decisions?
The importance of skepticism
Even with criticism, Pyrrhonian skepticism plays an important role in philosophy. He reminds us of the limitations of human knowledge and the need to question our beliefs and opinions. Skepticism encourages us to seek solid evidence and arguments before accepting anything as true, thus avoiding dogmatism and blind acceptance of ideas.
The search for ataraxia
One of the objectives of Pyrrhonian skepticism is to achieve ataraxia, which means tranquility of the soul. Pyrrho believed that by suspending judgment and not clinging to any opinion, we could achieve inner peace and live in harmony with the world. Ataraxia is seen as a state of freedom and happiness, free from the disturbances caused by opinions and beliefs.
Criticism of the search for absolute truth
Pyrrho criticized the search for absolute truth, arguing that it is useless and impossible to achieve. He believed that all opinions are equally plausible and that there are no objective criteria for distinguishing true from false. For Pyrrho, truth is relative and depends on the perceptions and opinions of each individual.
The influence of Pyrrhonian skepticism on modern philosophy
Pyrrhonian skepticism had a significant impact on modern philosophy. Philosophers such as David Hume and Immanuel Kant were influenced by Pyrrho's teachings and developed their own theories about knowledge and the nature of reality. Pyrrhonian skepticism also influenced contemporary philosophical currents, such as pragmatism and postmodernism.
The importance of questioning
Pyrrhonian skepticism reminds us of the importance of questioning and searching for evidence before accepting anything as true. He encourages us not to accept dogma and to be open to new ideas and perspectives. Constant questioning helps us expand our knowledge and avoid intellectual stagnation.
The relevance of Pyrrhonian skepticism today
Pyrrhonian skepticism remains relevant today, especially in a world full of information and divergent opinions. He reminds us of the importance of questioning and critically analyzing the information we receive, thus avoiding manipulation and blind acceptance of ideas. Skepticism helps us develop more critical thinking and make more informed decisions.
Conclusion
In short, Pyrrho was a Greek philosopher who founded Pyrrhonian skepticism, a philosophical current that questions the possibility of achieving absolute knowledge. Pyrrho defended the suspension of judgment in relation to all things, arguing that we cannot be certain about anything. His philosophy has had a great influence throughout history and remains relevant today, reminding us of the importance of questioning and searching for evidence before accepting anything as true.
