How did Pyrrhonism shape Reformation and early modern thought?

Pyrrhonism is an Ancient Greek school of philosophical skepticism that rejects dogma and advocates suspending judgment on all beliefs. The Renaissance publication of surviving works by Sextus Empiricus sparked a major revival of this skepticism. This revival ultimately played a critical role in Reformation thought and the shaping of early modern philosophy.

What we know

• Pyrrhonism is an Ancient Greek school of philosophical skepticism founded in the fourth century BCE that rejects dogma and advocates the suspension of judgment over the truth of all beliefs. [1, 2]
• The school was founded in the first century BCE by Aenesidemus and was inspired by teachings from Pyrrho and Timon of Phlius in the fourth century BCE. [1, 2]
• Pyrrhonism is best known today through the surviving works of Sextus Empiricus from the late second or early third century CE. [2]
• The publication of Sextus Empiricus's works during the Renaissance ignited a revival of interest in skepticism that significantly influenced Reformation thought and early modern philosophy. [2, 3]

Where to go next

• whoWho was Sextus Empiricus and what did he write?
• what followedHow did early modern philosophers respond to skepticism?
• how it workedWhat are the core tenets of Ancient Greek philosophical skepticism?
• the bigger pictureHow does Western philosophy span from ancient traditions to modernity?
• compared withHow does Pyrrhonism compare to Eastern philosophical traditions?
• an unexpected connectionHow did ancient medical and philosophical skepticism survive into the Renaissance?The philosophical ideas of Pyrrhonism survived antiquity primarily through the written works of Sextus Empiricus, which remained dormant until their Renaissance publication sparked a major intellectual transformation in Reformation and early modern thought.

Sources

• [1]pyrrhonism (Wikidata Q1126340) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Pyrrhonism · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Early modern philosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Western philosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Modern philosophy · CC BY-SA 4.0