Who is Sextus Empiricus in Philosophy
Sextus Empiricus was a Greek philosopher who lived during the XNUMXnd century AD. He is known for being one of the main representatives of Pyrrhonian skepticism, a philosophical current that questions the possibility of achieving absolute knowledge and defends the suspension of judgment in relation to all questions. In this glossary, we will explore the life and ideas of Sextus Empiricus, as well as his contribution to philosophy.
Life and Historical Context
Sextus Empiricus was born around 160 AD in a city called Eleia, located in the region of Magna Grecia, which corresponds to current Italy. Little is known about his personal life, but it is believed that he studied philosophy in Alexandria, Egypt, and that he was influenced by philosophers such as Pyrrhus of Elis and Timon of Fliunte.
Main Works
The main works of Sextus Empiricus are known as “Pyrrhonian Hypotypes” and “Pyrrhonian Sketches”. In these texts, he presents the arguments and techniques used by Pyrrhonian skeptics to suspend judgment and avoid dogmatization. In addition, Sextus also wrote about medicine, mathematics and ethics, but much of his works have been lost over the centuries.
Pyrrhonian Skepticism
Pyrrhonian skepticism is a philosophical current that is based on the teachings of Pyrrhon of Elis, founder of the Pyrrhonian school. According to Pyrrhonian skeptics, it is not possible to achieve absolute knowledge about reality, since all our perceptions are subjective and limited. In this way, they defend the suspension of judgment in relation to all issues, thus avoiding dogmatization and the adoption of unfounded beliefs.
Skeptical Arguments
To support their position, Pyrrhonian skeptics use a series of arguments. One of the main ones is the argument of different customs, which states that beliefs and values vary according to culture and historical context, which indicates the lack of an absolute truth. Another important argument is the infinite regress argument, which questions the validity of any statement, since we can always ask “why?”
Suspension of Judgment
Suspension of judgment is the main practice of Pyrrhonian skeptics. They believe that by suspending judgment on all issues, we avoid dogmatization and the adoption of unfounded beliefs. This does not mean that Pyrrhonian skeptics do not have personal opinions or preferences, but rather that they recognize the impossibility of achieving absolute knowledge and, therefore, prefer not to take sides.
Influence on Philosophy
The philosophy of Sextus Empiricus has had a great influence throughout history. His skeptical arguments were taken up and developed by later philosophers, such as Michel de Montaigne and David Hume. Furthermore, Pyrrhonian skepticism also influenced other philosophical currents, such as pragmatism and existentialism, which question the possibility of achieving absolute truth.
Criticisms of Pyrrhonian Skepticism
Pyrrhonian skepticism is not a philosophical current without criticism. Some philosophers argue that suspension of judgment can lead to relativism, since there are no objective criteria to distinguish between true and false beliefs. Furthermore, others question the effectiveness of Pyrrhonian skepticism as a life practice, arguing that suspension of judgment can lead to inaction and lack of commitment.
Legacy of Sextus Empiricus
Sextus Empiricus' legacy in philosophy is marked by his defense of the suspension of judgment and his criticism of the possibility of achieving absolute knowledge. His skeptical approach influenced several philosophical currents throughout history and continues to be an object of study and debate today. Through his works, Sextus invites us to question our beliefs and recognize the limitations of our perceptions, opening space for a more reflective and critical stance in relation to the world.
