Against the Logicians

by Sextus Empiricus, Richard Bett (editor)

By far the most detailed surviving examination by any ancient Greek sceptic of epistemology and logic, this work critically reviews the pretensions of non-sceptical philosophers, to have discovered methods for determining the truth, either through direct observation or by inference from the observed to the unobserved. A fine example of the Pyrrhonist sceptical method at work, it also provides extensive information about the ideas of other Greek thinkers, which in many instances, are poorly preserved in other sources.

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

254 pages, 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!