Sextus Empiricus
Against every claim an equally strong one can be set: we must suspend judgement.
Life
Sextus Empiricus, a Greek physician and philosopher of around the 2nd century (dates uncertain), is our main source for ancient scepticism. He sets out the Pyrrhonist method: set against every claim an equally strong one, suspend judgement, and so reach peace of mind.
Main works
Presents Pyrrhonian scepticism and its modes of argument (approximate date).
Attacks the supposed knowledge of grammarians, logicians, physicists and moralists (approximate date).
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceHe finds the arguments for and against the gods equally strong and suspends judgement, while following the customs of worship.
Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism III.2-9 (c. 200)
Against every claim an equally strong opposing claim can be set, so one should suspend judgement and not assert anything as certain.
Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism (c. 200)
He shows that opinions on good and bad conflict with no way to decide, so nothing appears good or bad by nature: he suspends judgement.
Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism III.168-238 (c. 200)