Skepticism Philosophy
SKEPTICISM PHILOSOPHY
Skepticism: • It comes from the Greek word skeptikoi which means “seekers” or “inquirers.” • It refers to the critical attitude wherein a man questions different things including the well-known absolute truth or knowledge. • Note that skepticism (philosophical that is) should be contrasted with philosophical dogmatism wherein the latter is the direct opposite of the former. Philosophical dogmatism refers to an attitude wherein a man believes to have absolute truth/knowledge ("dogma,” meaning strict rules).
Short History of Skepticism
Classical Skepticism
Gorgias
• A Sophist who believed that nothing really exists. • He lived from 483-376 B.C. (Leontini, Italy). He went to Athens to fulfill his mission as an ambassador. He was a student of Empedocles. • In Greece, he was the mentor of Thucydides (author of the Peloponnesian War) and Isocrates. • His issue with regard to the philosophy of existence can be understood by having a full grip on the logical contradiction. • His whole idea of existence commences from the premise that nothing exists. Or, if something exists, it must come from another beginning. The origin of the existence of “something” is said to be unknowable. • Also, Gorgias postulated that a “being” should come from another being. It is impossible for this being to come from nothing. • We can regard Gorgias as a Sophist rather than a skeptic. It should be noted, however, that early skepticism came from the early perceived philosophy, and that is Stoicism.
Philosophical Skepticism
The following are the philosophical inquiries of the skeptics:
1. Epistemology • Can man attain absolute knowledge? • Where does the absolute knowledge come from? • How does sense perception operate in the service of achieving knowledge?
2. Metaphysics • What is/are the composition/s of the universe? • What are the distinguishing features of human nature?
Skepticism: • It comes from the Greek word skeptikoi which means “seekers” or “inquirers.” • It refers to the critical attitude wherein a man questions different things including the well-known absolute truth or knowledge. • Note that skepticism (philosophical that is) should be contrasted with philosophical dogmatism wherein the latter is the direct opposite of the former. Philosophical dogmatism refers to an attitude wherein a man believes to have absolute truth/knowledge ("dogma,” meaning strict rules).
Short History of Skepticism
Classical Skepticism
Gorgias
• A Sophist who believed that nothing really exists. • He lived from 483-376 B.C. (Leontini, Italy). He went to Athens to fulfill his mission as an ambassador. He was a student of Empedocles. • In Greece, he was the mentor of Thucydides (author of the Peloponnesian War) and Isocrates. • His issue with regard to the philosophy of existence can be understood by having a full grip on the logical contradiction. • His whole idea of existence commences from the premise that nothing exists. Or, if something exists, it must come from another beginning. The origin of the existence of “something” is said to be unknowable. • Also, Gorgias postulated that a “being” should come from another being. It is impossible for this being to come from nothing. • We can regard Gorgias as a Sophist rather than a skeptic. It should be noted, however, that early skepticism came from the early perceived philosophy, and that is Stoicism.
Philosophical Skepticism
The following are the philosophical inquiries of the skeptics:
1. Epistemology • Can man attain absolute knowledge? • Where does the absolute knowledge come from? • How does sense perception operate in the service of achieving knowledge?
2. Metaphysics • What is/are the composition/s of the universe? • What are the distinguishing features of human nature?