Who was Pyrrho of Elis and what did he believe?
Pyrrho of Elis was an ancient Greek philosopher living from approximately 360 to 270 BC, widely credited as the first Greek skeptic philosopher and the inspiration behind Pyrrhonism. His philosophical approach centered on rejecting dogma and practicing the suspension of judgment regarding the truth of all beliefs to achieve inner peace. While Pyrrho himself laid the foundational inspiration, the formal school of Pyrrhonism was later established by Aenesidemus and is best known through the surviving writings of Sextus Empiricus.
What we know
- Pyrrho of Elis lived from approximately 360 to 270 BC and was a Greek philosopher of classical antiquity. [1, 2]
- He is credited as being the first Greek skeptic philosopher and the founder of Pyrrhonism. [1, 2]
- Pyrrhonism is a school of philosophical skepticism that rejects dogma and advocates for the suspension of judgment over the truth of all beliefs. [4]
- Pyrrhonian skepticism is understood as a way of life that helps the practitioner achieve inner peace through the suspension of judgment. [3]
Still open
- Sources differ slightly on whether Pyrrho founded Pyrrhonism directly or if the school was formally founded later by Aenesidemus in the first century BCE, inspired by Pyrrho and Timon of Phlius.
Where to go next
- the bigger pictureWhat is philosophical skepticism?
- compared withHow did Academic skepticism differ from Pyrrhonism?
- whoWho was Sextus Empiricus?
- whereWhere was Elis in ancient Greece?
- what followedHow did ancient skepticism influence the Renaissance?
- an unexpected connectionHow did ancient Greek skepticism spark Reformation thought?The publication of the surviving works of Sextus Empiricus during the Renaissance ignited a revival of skepticism that ultimately played a major role in shaping Reformation thought.
Sources
- [1]Pyrrho (Wikidata Q192313) · CC0 1.0
- [2]Pyrrho · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [3]Philosophical skepticism · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [4]Pyrrhonism · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [5]Academic skepticism · CC BY-SA 4.0