Sextus Empiricus Neo-Pyrrhonism by Plnio Smith

Sextus Empiricus Neo-Pyrrhonism by Plnio Smith

This book offers a comprehensive interpretation of Sextus Empiricus based on his own view of what he calls the distinctive character of skepticism. It focuses on basic topics highlighted by this ancient philosopher concerning Pyrrhonism, a kind of skepticism named for Pyrrho: its concept, its principles, its reason, its criteria, its goals. 

In the first part, the author traces distinct phases in the life and philosophical development of a talented person, from the pre-philosophical phase where philosophy was perceived as the solution to life's disturbing anomalies, through his initial philosophical investigation in order to find truth where the basic experience is that of a huge disagreement between philosophers, to the final phase where he finally recognises that his experience is similar to that of the skeptical school and adheres to skepticism. 

The second part is devoted to explain the nature of his skepticism. It presents an original interpretation, for it claims that the central role in Sextus’ Neo-Pyrrhonism is played by a skeptical logos, a rationale or way of reasoning. This is what unifies and articulates the skeptical orientation. The skeptic goes on investigating truth, but in a new condition, for he is now tranquil, and he has a skeptical method of his own. He has also acquired a special ability in order to balance both sides of an opposition, which involves a number of different skills. Finally, the author examines the skeptical life generated by this philosophical experience where he lives a life without opinions and dogmas; it is an engaged life, deeply concerned with our everyday actions and values. 

Readers will gain a deeper insight into the philosophy of Pyrrhonism as presented by Sextus Empiricus, as well as understand the meaning of anomalía, zétesis, epokhé, ataraxía, and other important ideas of this philosophy.

Smiths book is a tour de force of systematically cataloging all of the major misinterpretations and patiently laying out how to properly interpret Sextus EmpiricusFor an academic book, it is written in a straightforward style . For people interested in the modern practice of Pyrrhonism, or any form of neoskepticism in general, Smiths book is a much-needed antidote to the common misinterpretations promulgated by scholars who neither practice Pyrrhonism nor who are inclined to analyze it sympathetically. (pyrrhonism.medium.com, April 1, 2022)

Pl�nio Junqueira Smith is professor of History of Modern Philosophy and Theory of Knowledge at Universidade Federal de S�o Paulo (Brazil). He has published many books on the history of scepticism, as well as many papers on scepticism, history of modern philosophy, and analytical theory of knowledge (both in international journals and collective works, including Scepticism in the Eighteenth Century. Enlightenment, Lumi�res, Aufklar�ng, Dordrecht, Springer, 2013 (with S�bastien Charles). He translated Malebranches's De la recherche de la v�rit� into Portuguese. S�bastien Charles is the Dean of Research and Creativity at Universit� du Qu�bec � Trois-Rivi�res (Canada). His research deals with the history of early modern philosophy, with particular emphases on Berkeley and modern scepticism. His recent publications include: Pour et contre le scepticisme. Th�ories et pratiques de l'antiquit� aux Lumi�res, Paris, Honor� Champion, 2014 (with Gianni Paganini); Hume et la religion, Hildesheim, Georg Olms Verlag, 2013; Scepticism in the Eighteenth Century. Enlightenment, Lumi�res, Aufklar�ng, Dordrecht, Springer, 2013 (with Plinio Junqueira Smith); Descartes et ses critiques, Qu�bec, Presses de l'Universit� Laval, 2011 (with Syliane Malinowski-Charles).

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9783030945206
ISBN 10	3030945200
Title	Sextus Empiricus Neo-Pyrrhonism
Author	Plnio Smith
Series	Synthese Library
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Year published	2023-03-03
Number of pages	372
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.