What was Academic Skepticism in ancient philosophy?

Academic skepticism was a philosophical movement in Plato's Academy lasting from roughly 266 BC to 90 BC. Unlike their Pyrrhonian rivals who suspended judgment entirely, Academic skeptics maintained that true knowledge of things is impossible. However, they believed that degrees of plausibility and belief still allow humans to act practically in daily life.

What we know

• Academic skepticism began around 266 BC when Arcesilaus became the scholarch of the Academy and lasted until around 90 BC when Antiochus of Ascalon rejected skepticism. [1, 2]
• Unlike Pyrrhonists, Academic skeptics maintained the positive assertion that knowledge of things is impossible. [2, 3]
• Academic skeptics argued that although ideas are never strictly true, there are degrees of plausibility and belief that permit action. [2, 4]
• The school was heavily characterized by its ongoing attacks against Stoic dogmas, specifically the Stoic view that convincing impressions lead to true knowledge. [2, 5]
• The most extensive surviving ancient source detailing Academic skepticism is the work Academica, written by the philosopher Cicero. [1, 2]

Where to go next

• compared withHow did Pyrrhonian skepticism differ from the Academy?
• whoWho were the major philosophers of the skeptical Academy?
• how we knowWhat did Cicero write in his philosophical work Academica?
• the bigger pictureWhat are the core tenets of Hellenistic philosophy?
• what caused itHow did Stoic epistemology trigger Academic opposition?
• an unexpected connectionHow does ancient Academic skepticism relate to common sense?While everyday skepticism only doubts specific claims due to missing evidence, Academic skepticism challenges even very plausible knowledge claims accepted by basic common sense.

Sources

• [1]academic skepticism (Wikidata Q3345153) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Academic skepticism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Philosophical skepticism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Skepticism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Hellenistic philosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0