Sextus Empiricus and Pyrrhonean Scepticism [Hardcover]

Alan Bailey offers a clear and vigorous exposition and defence of the philosophy of Sextus Empiricus, one of the most influential of ancient thinkers, the father of philosophical scepticism. The subsequent sceptical tradition in philosophy has not done justice to Sextus: his views stand up today as remarkably insightful, offering a fruitful way to approach issues of knowledge, understanding, belief, and rationality. Bailey's refreshing presentation of Sextus to a modern philosophical readership rescues scepticism from the sceptics.

1. Introduction: Scepticism
2. Pyrrho's Connection with Pyrrhonean Scepticism
3. Arcesilaus and Suspension of Judgement
4. The New Academy and the Origins of Aenesidemean Pyrrhonism
5. Pyrrhonism from Aenesidemus to Sextus Empiricus
6. An Outline of Sextus' Pyrrhonism
7. A Life without Beliefs?
8. Pyrrhonism and Common Sense
9. Is the Pyrrhonist a Proto-Phenomenalist?
10. Arguments and Reasons
11. Pyrrhonism and Constrained Belief
Select Bibliography, Index

The core of this book is a promising one...the debate is well worth having. --The Philosophical Review

Alan Bailey is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of York.