History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps HoP 413 - Don’t Be So Sure - French Skepticism
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Jan 29, 2023 AI Snips
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Reformation Created An Epistemic Crisis
- The Reformation's disputes exposed a 'problem of the criterion' that made religious truth claims undecidable by shared standards.
- This epistemic crisis revived ancient skeptical strategies that highlighted disagreement and cultural variation.
Montaigne Champions Modest Fallibilism
- Montaigne used cultural examples and internal disagreement to argue we should be less sure of our convictions.
- He promoted modesty and fallibilism rather than full Pyrrhonian suspension of judgment.
Follow Appearances, Keep Local Customs
- Montaigne rejected full Pyrrhonism because it undercuts itself, favoring following appearances and local customs.
- He advised adopting one's society's customs while refining personal judgments privately.