Sextus Empiricus: Against Logicians (v. II)

by Sextus Empiricus, R.G. Bury (Translator)

Sextus Empiricus (ca. 160–210 CE), exponent of scepticism and critic of the Dogmatists, was a Greek physician and philosopher, pupil and successor of the medical sceptic Herodotus (not the historian) of Tarsus. He probably lived for years in Rome and possibly also in Alexandria and Athens. His three surviving works are 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism' (three books on the practical and ethical scepticism of Pyrrho of Elis, ca. 360–275 BCE, as developed later, presenting also a case against the Dogmatists); 'Against the Dogmatists' (five books dealing with the Logicians, the Physicists, and the Ethicists); and 'Against the Professors' (six Grammarians, Rhetors, Geometers, Arithmeticians, Astrologers, and Musicians). These two latter works might be called a general criticism of professors of all arts and sciences. Sextus's work is a valuable source for the history of thought especially because of his development and formulation of former sceptic doctrines.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Sextus Empiricus is in four volumes.

Genres: Philosophy, Ancient, Skepticism, Logic, Classics, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 200

About the author

Ancient Mediterranean physician and philosopher. His philosophical work is the most complete surviving account of ancient Greek and Roman skepticism.

In his medical work, tradition maintains that he belonged to the "empiric school", as reflected by his name. However, at least twice in his writings, Sextus seems to place himself closer to the "methodic school", as his philosophical views imply.

Reviews

[Illiterate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sextus’ skepticism is well taken, especially as he focuses on perception and inference, ie. epistemology not logic, truth not validity

[Gabriel Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Pyhrro and Sextus and their blessed thought lineage enjoyed the reverence and stature and renown granted to that excrement, that two bit Charlie Manson known as "Jesus", we would be living in a Utopia!