Description
Book SynopsisWhat was it like to be a practitioner of Pyrrhonist skepticism? This important volume brings together for the first time a selection of Richard Bett''s essays on ancient Pyrrhonism, allowing readers a better understanding of the key aspects of this school of thought. The volume examines Pyrrhonism''s manner of self-presentation, including its methods of writing, its desire to show how special it is, and its use of humor; it considers Pyrrhonism''s argumentative procedures regarding specific topics, such as signs, space, or the Modes; and it explores what it meant in practice to live as a Pyrrhonist, including the kind of ethical outlook which Pyrrhonism might allow and, in general, the character of a skeptical life - and how far these might strike us as feasible or desirable. It also shows how Pyrrhonism often raises questions that matter to us today, both in our everyday lives and in our philosophical reflection.
Trade Review'Everyone who works on ancient skepticism will want to spend time with these essays. Bett has a sure instinct for questions that matter, and he knows the works of Sextus backwards and forwards. Cambridge University has done scholars a great service with this volume.' Bryn Mawr Classical Review
Table of ContentsPart I. How the Pyrrhonists Present Themselves: 1. The Pyrrhonist's dilemma: what to write if you have nothing to say; 2. Why care whether scepticism is different from other philosophies?; 3. Humor as philosophical subversion, especially in the sceptics; Part II. Pyrrhonists at Work: Specific Topics: 4. The sign in the Pyrrhonian tradition; 5. Aenesidemus the anti-physicist; 6. The modes in Sextus: theory and practice; Part III. Life as a Pyrrhonist: 7. What kind of self can a Greek sceptic have?; 8. How ethical can an ancient sceptic be?; 9. Living as a sceptic; Part IV. Intersections of Pyrrhonism with Contemporary Thought: 10. Can an ancient Greek sceptic be Eudaimôn (or happy)? And what difference does the answer make to us? 11. On Pyrrhonism, stances, and believing what you want; 12. Can we be ancient sceptics?
