Johnathan Bi Introduction to Ancient Skepticism | Tad Brennan on Sextus Empiricus
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Jun 1, 2025 Tad Brennan, a renowned scholar of ancient skepticism from Cornell, delves into the philosophy of Sextus Empiricus. He critiques dogmatic beliefs, advocating for tranquility through equanimity over absolute truths. The discussion covers the challenges of knowledge and belief justification, highlighting the complexities of distinguishing dogma from convention. Brennan also explores the art of skeptical reasoning and the implications of skepticism in addressing outrageous claims. Ultimately, he emphasizes peace of mind derived from questioning certainties.
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Tranquility Through Equivalence
- Sextus Empiricus sought tranquility not from finding truth but from acknowledging the equivalence of opposing arguments.
- Holding that both sides have equal weight led him to a balanced, peaceful state despite ongoing search for truth.
Philosophers' Extreme Reactions
- Ancient philosophers sometimes harmed themselves when grappling with paradoxes or philosophical puzzles.
- This context motivated Sextus Empiricus to develop skepticism to avoid such turmoil caused by dogmatic beliefs.
Dogma Brings More Turmoil
- Dogmatic philosophers sought tranquility through comprehensive theories but often caused themselves greater turmoil.
- Sextus saw these grand philosophies as sources of untranquility, more severe than ordinary life's disturbances.