Sextus Empiricus’ Neo-Pyrrhonism

Plínio Junqueira Smith is professor of History of Modern Philosophy and Theory of Knowledge at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Brazil). He has published many books on the history of scepticism, as well as many papers on scepticism, history of modern philosophy, and analytical theory of knowledge (both in international journals and collective works), including Scepticism in the Eighteenth Century: Enlightenment, Lumières, Aufklarüng, Dordrecht, Springer, 2013, Academic Scepticism in Early Modern Philosopophy, Dordrecht, Springer, 2017 (both with Sébastien Charles), and Sceptical Doubt and Disbelief in Modern European Thought, Dordrecht, Springer, 2020 (with Vicente Raga-Rosaleny).

• Preface.- Chapter 1. Ton charactêra tês skepseôs: The Distinctive Character of Skepticism.- PART I: Tên elpida tou ataraktêsein: The Road to Skepticism.- Chapter 2. Megalophueis and anômalia: The talented person, conflicts in everyday life, and the attraction of philosophy.- Chapter 3. Zêtêsis I: The initial investigation of the philosophos.- Chapter 4. Hai anôtatô philosophiai: The results of philosophical investigation.- PART II: Hê skeptikê agôgê: The Skeptical Orientation.- A. Hairesis: Doctrine.- Chapter 5. Ti logos: The skeptical way of reasoning.- B. Zêtêsis II: Continued investigation.- Chapter 6. Malista archê and zêtêtike agogê: The skeptic as the guardian of investigation.- Chapter 7. Ennoia and dunamis antitetike: The plasticity of the skeptic's ability.- Chapter 8. Sunagomen eukotôs hoti ephekhomen: The rational ability to suspend judgment.- C. Bios: Life.- Chapter 9. Ton seirenon huposkhesin: The dogmatic attack on everyday life.- Chapter 10. Kriterion I: phainomenon:Living in the natural and social world.- Chapter 11. Kriterion II: alêtheia: Living with belief and knowledge.- Chapter 12. Ataraxia and metriopatheia: The engaged life of a Pyrrhonist.- Index.

“Smith’s book is a tour de force of systematically cataloging all of the major misinterpretations and patiently laying out how to properly interpret Sextus Empiricus. … For an academic book, it is written in a straightforward style … . For people interested in the modern practice of Pyrrhonism, or any form of neoskepticism in general, Smith’s book is a much-needed antidote to the common misinterpretations promulgated by scholars who neither practice Pyrrhonism nor who are inclined to analyze it sympathetically.” (pyrrhonism.medium.com, April 1, 2022)