What do you think?
Rate this book
The Art of Believing in Nothing: A.K.A. "Ars Nihil Credendi" / "Pseudo-Vallée"
“He who doesn't know how to doubt, knows nothing at all.”
This is a book about the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, free will, human nature, society, government, religion, and morality: it concludes that all these things are unknowable, uncertain, and have shaky foundations. But, rather than nihilism or open rebellion, the response it offers is to get along with the world we have: "I have a doubtful God to worship and fear, a doubtful Hell to avoid, a doubtful immortality to hope for: a doubtful vice to flee, a doubtful virtue to practice".
'The Art of Believing in Nothing' has been described as “a remarkable, but barely noticed document” and “one of the most profound and attractive texts of the whole body of clandestine philosophical manuscripts, for the feeling of painful sincerity that runs through it, the impression of living and lived philosophy that it emanates”. Written around 1700, this is its first English translation.
This is a book about the existence of God, the immortality of the soul, free will, human nature, society, government, religion, and morality: it concludes that all these things are unknowable, uncertain, and have shaky foundations. But, rather than nihilism or open rebellion, the response it offers is to get along with the world we have: "I have a doubtful God to worship and fear, a doubtful Hell to avoid, a doubtful immortality to hope for: a doubtful vice to flee, a doubtful virtue to practice".
'The Art of Believing in Nothing' has been described as “a remarkable, but barely noticed document” and “one of the most profound and attractive texts of the whole body of clandestine philosophical manuscripts, for the feeling of painful sincerity that runs through it, the impression of living and lived philosophy that it emanates”. Written around 1700, this is its first English translation.
89 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2019
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 17, 2023
For anyone interested in how to practice Pyrrhonism, this is a fascinating text. It was written in France circa 1700 by an anonymous Pyrrhonist describing his sincere approach to living his Pyrrhonist philosopy. The manuscript was copied and circulated privately, and has been barely noticed.
Most of the text addresses how the author deals with the prevalent dogmas of his time, principally ones concerning religion and the soul, and the author’s reasons for adopting Pyrrhonism. One small chapter is devoted to refuting Pascal’s Wager.
The most interesting chapter for modern Pyrrhonists is likely to be the concluding chapter, on ethics, in which the author outlines his empirical reasoning for his pragmatic approach for following the ordinary rules of society and the elements of what is commonly called virtue ethics. Another interesting chapter concerns self-love, which is what the author reasons to be the driving force for human cooperation.
Most of the text addresses how the author deals with the prevalent dogmas of his time, principally ones concerning religion and the soul, and the author’s reasons for adopting Pyrrhonism. One small chapter is devoted to refuting Pascal’s Wager.
The most interesting chapter for modern Pyrrhonists is likely to be the concluding chapter, on ethics, in which the author outlines his empirical reasoning for his pragmatic approach for following the ordinary rules of society and the elements of what is commonly called virtue ethics. Another interesting chapter concerns self-love, which is what the author reasons to be the driving force for human cooperation.
July 3, 2020
Written in 1700 apparently this is an incredible little book. I came across it through my interest in Pyrrhonism. It's quite a polemic on reasons to actively doubt while attacking religion, reason and common sense. Wonderfully translated. It reminded me in some ways of The Essays of Montaigne. Enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews