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Work #71

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

Sextus Empiricus
c. 160–210 AD · Hellenistic Greek
Philosophical-doxographical treatise in three books · Late antique philosophy / Pyrrhonist scepticism

For every argument there is an equal counter-argument — and from equipollence comes suspension and tranquillity

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Outlines of Pyrrhonism
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Relational
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Relational
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Relational
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Immediate
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Immediate
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Passive
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Experience
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Finite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Relational
Information · Cosmic Conservation Non-conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Non-conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

Time, like every other philosophical category, is subjected to equipollent argument: for every position on time's nature, a counter-position is shown to be equally credible. Sextus suspends judgement; the sceptic follows custom in temporal matters.

Space

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

Same treatment: space's nature is subjected to opposed arguments, with no resolution claimed. The sceptic lives in lived space without committing to a doctrine of it.

Matter

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

The ten modes show that the same body appears differently under different conditions. Matter is whatever appears to act on us; what its nature is in itself is suspended.

Observer

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

The Pyrrhonian observer is embodied, plural, passive in the precise sense of not asserting beyond appearance. Knowledge is immediate (appearances are given) but does not extend beyond them. Moral authority is experience and custom. Metaphysical agency is None — Sextus is neither theist nor atheist; both positions are equipollent.

Energy

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

Conventional within the framework; not theorised philosophically.

Information

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

Information is relational — what appears, to whom, under what conditions. Personal information is not philosophically privileged; the question of personal persistence is one more equipollent dispute to be suspended.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Outlines of Pyrrhonism

The classic objection to Pyrrhonism is self-refutation: the claim that we should suspend judgement is itself a judgement. Sextus addresses this (I.14) — Pyrrhonian assertions are themselves to be taken as expressions of how things appear, not as dogmatic claims — but critics since Plato's Theaetetus have argued the response is either incoherent or empty. The relation between Pyrrhonism and Academic scepticism is the other major point of dispute.