Skepticism Flashcards
Explain the skeptist view
Men cannot access the ultimate truth of things. True intelligence consists in
accepting that one cannot arrive at the absolute truth, because there are different philosophies and
theologies.
What’s the difference between the Stoics/Epicureans and the skeptists?
For the Stoics and Epicureans, happiness and serenity depended on these explanations of the universe.
For the skeptics, on the other hand, the only way to truly achieve tranquillity of mind was to recognise
that all these doctrines are equally fallacious, i.e. one cannot arrive at an absolute truth.
Who is the founder of skepticism?
Pyrrho.
What is ataraxia?
For Pyrrho, only skepticism succeeds in procuring ataraxia = the absence of disturbance in the soul
that only the wise man achieves. For the skeptic, ataraxia is the imperturbable serenity of mind that
the sage achieves when he realises that there is no single truth in the world.
How can ataraxia be reached according to Timon of Philippus (Pyrrho’s pupil)?
the only possible attitude to live
imperturbably is not to pronounce oneself about anything, i.e. aphasia.
After Pyrrho, the only legitimate attitude is epoché, the suspension of all judgement.
What is the difference between the skepticists and Descartes?
Classical skeptics were seeking a kind of inner peace that comes from suspending judgment.
Descartes makes clear that his skepticism has a
specific aim:
-to get rid of old, bad opinions, to “withdraw the
mind from the senses”
-to achieve indubitable truths.
Skepticism is a useful tool in his philosophical project (id est: acquiring that would lead to a reform of the sciences), but not an end->
METHODICAL DOUBT
The methodological use of skepticism in Descartes
Descartes believes that everyone has a pure intellect and that
everyone will be convinced of his metaphysical principles if they use their intellects. But he also
believes that immersion in the senses has obscured the pure intellect.
- Doubting the senses is a means of getting the reader to abstract from sensory experience
- The first two Meditations are constructed to enable the meditator to discover the pure use of her
intellect, in part by ignoring material things.
He believes that everyone has a pure intellect and that
everyone will be convinced of his metaphysical principles if they use their intellects. But he also
believes that immersion in the senses has obscured the pure intellect.
-Doubting the senses is a mean of getting the reader to abstract from sensory experience
-Therefore the invitation to follow the meditations is addressed only to “who are willing and able to
meditate seriously with me and to draw their minds away from the senses”
-the first two Meditations are constructed to enable the meditator to discover the pure use of her
intellect, in part by ignoring material things.
