Sextus Empiricus

How ancient skepticism can help you attain tranquility by learning to suspend judgment Along with Stoicism and Epicureanism, Skepticism is one of the three major schools of ancient Greek philosophy that claim to offer a way of living as well as thinking. How to Keep an Open Mind provides an unmatched introduction to skepticism by presenting a fresh, modern translation of key passages from the writings of Sextus Empiricus, the only Greek skeptic whose works have survived. While content in daily life to go along with things as they appear to be, Sextus advocated—and provided a set of techniques to achieve—a radical suspension of judgment about the way things really are, believing that such nonjudging can be useful for challenging the unfounded dogmatism of others and may help one achieve a state of calm and tranquility. In an introduction, Richard Bett makes the case that the most important lesson we can draw from Sextus’s brand of skepticism today may be an ability to see what can be said on the other side of any issue, leading to a greater open-mindedness. Complete with the original Greek on facing pages, How to Keep an Open Mind offers a compelling antidote to the closed-minded dogmatism of today’s polarized world.

An Ancient Guide to Thinking Like a Skeptic

How to Keep an Open Mind

Against the Professors (Loeb Classical Library No. 382)

Sextus (Empiricus.)

Outlines of Scepticism is a work of major importance for the history of Greek philosophy.

Sextus Empiricus: Outlines of Scepticism

A Greek philosopher of the mid-late second century AD, Sextus Empiricus produced the only extant comprehensive account of Greek Skepticism. As a major exponent of Pyrrhonistic “suspension of judgment,” Sextus attacked syllogistic proofs in every area of speculative knowledge. His work would have a long-lasting impact on the development of philosophical thought throughout Europe into the Enlightenment. Delphi’s Ancient Classics series provides eReaders with the wisdom of the Classical world, offering both English translations and the original Greek texts. This eBook presents Sextus’ complete extant works, with illustrations, informative introductions and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Sextus’ life and works * Features the complete extant works of Sextus, in both English translation and the original Greek * Concise introduction to the text * R. G. Bury’s translation, previously appearing in the Loeb Classical Library edition * Excellent formatting of the texts * Easily locate the sections you want to read with individual contents tables * Provides a special dual English and Greek text of ‘Outlines of Pyrrhonism’, allowing readers to compare the sections paragraph by paragraph — ideal for classical students * Features three bonus biographies — discover Sextus’ ancient world CONTENTS: The Translations Outlines of Pyrrhonism Against the Professors Against the Logicians Against the Physicists Against the Ethicists The Greek Texts List of Greek Texts The Dual Text Outlines of Pyrrhonism (Greek and English Text) The Biographies Life of Pyrrho by Diogenes Laertius Life of Timon by Diogenes Laertius Introduction to Sextus Empiricus (1936) by R. G. Bury

Delphi Complete Works of Sextus Empiricus (Illustrated)

Libros quinque (Adv. mathem. VII-XI) continens

Adversus dogmaticos

A new and accurate translation of an important work of ancient Greek scepticism.

Sextus Empiricus: Against the Logicians

Pyrrhoniarum institutionum libri III

Πρὸς Μουσικούς

Sextus Empiricus: Against the professors

Diogenes Laërtius

Mary Mills Patrick

Edwyn Bevan

"The truth is hypothetical." Scepticism (or skepticism), the belief that requires all information to be well supported by evidence, originated in the Skeptikoi, a first century BC Greek school who "asserted nothing." The school was founded by Aenesidemus; our main source of the school's teachings is Sextus Empiricus and the leader of the Sceptics was Pyrrho of Elis (365-275 BC) who had traveled to India and studied with the gymnosophists (naked lovers of wisdom). From India, Pyrrho brought back the idea that nothing can be known for certain. The senses are easily fooled, and reason follows too easily our desires. Along with Stoicism and Epicureanism, Scepticism was one of the three dominant schools of Hellenistic Philosophy. A sextet of sceptic texts has been collected in Stoic Six Pack 4 - The Sceptics: Pyrrhonic Sketches by Sextus Empiricus Life of Pyrrho by Diogenes Laërtius Sextus Empiricus and Greek Scepticism by Mary Mills Patrick The Greek Sceptics: from Pyrrho to Sextus by Norman MacColl Stoics and Sceptics by Edwyn Bevan Life of Carneades by Diogenes Laërtius A key concept for the sceptics was ataraxia ("tranquility"), a Greek term used by Pyrrho to describe a lucid state of robust tranquility, characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. By applying ideas of what he called "practical skepticism" to Ethics and to life in general, Pyrrho concluded that ataraxia could be achieved. Arriving at a state of ataraxia became the ultimate goal of the early Skeptikoi. "Skepticism is the first step toward truth." - Denis Diderot

The Sceptics

Stoic Six Pack 4

Norman MacColl

A sextet of sceptic texts has been collected in Stoic Six Pack 4 - The Sceptics: Pyrrhonic Sketches by Sextus Empiricus, Life of Pyrrho by Diogenes Laertius, Sextus Empiricus and Greek Scepticism by Mary Mills Patrick, The Greek Sceptics: from Pyrrho to Sextus by Norman MacColl Stoics and Sceptics by Edwyn Bevan and Life of Carneades by Diogenes Laertius.

Stoic Six Pack 4: The Sceptics

A sextet of sceptic texts has been collected in Stoic Six Pack 4 - The Sceptics: Pyrrhonic Sketches by Sextus Empiricus, Life of Pyrrho by Diogenes Laërtius, Sextus Empiricus and Greek Scepticism by Mary Mills Patrick, The Greek Sceptics: from Pyrrho to Sextus by Norman MacColl, Stoics and Sceptics by Edwyn Bevan and Life of Carneades by Diogenes Laërtius. A key concept for the sceptics was ataraxia ("tranquility"), a Greek term used by Pyrrho to describe a lucid state of robust tranquility, characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. By applying ideas of what he called "practical skepticism" to Ethics and to life in general, Pyrrho concluded that ataraxia could be achieved. Arriving at a state of ataraxia became the ultimate goal of the early Skeptikoi.

Sextus Empiricus

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