The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism

A comprehensive survey of the main periods, schools and individual proponents of scepticism in the ancient Greek and Roman world.

Richard Bett (Edited by)

9780521697545, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 January 2010

392 pages, 1 table
22.7 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.62 kg

'This anthology is very helpful to all those (specialists and students) who want to have a closer look at the origin of scepticism as well as the disputes that surrounded it in the Ancient period.' Science et Esprit

This volume offers a comprehensive survey of the main periods, schools, and individual proponents of scepticism in the ancient Greek and Roman world. The contributors examine the major developments chronologically and historically, ranging from the early antecedents of scepticism to the Pyrrhonist tradition. They address the central philosophical and interpretive problems surrounding the sceptics' ideas on subjects including belief, action, and ethics. Finally, they explore the effects which these forms of scepticism had beyond the ancient period, and the ways in which ancient scepticism differs from scepticism as it has been understood since Descartes. The volume will serve as an accessible and wide-ranging introduction to the subject for non-specialists, while also offering considerable depth and detail for more advanced readers.

Abbreviations
Introduction, Richard Bett
Part I. Origins and Development: 1. Antecedents in early Greek philosophy Mi-Kyoung Lee
2. Pyrrho and early Pyrrhonism Svavar Hrafn Svavarsson
3. Arcesilaus and Carneades Harald Thorsrud
4. The sceptical academy: decline and afterline Carlos Lévy
5. Aenesidemus and the rebirth of Pyrrhonism James Hankinson
6. Sextus Empiricus Pierre Pellegrin
Part II. Topics and Problems: 7. Scepticism and belief Casey Perin
8. Scepticism and action Katja Maria Vogt
9. Scepticism and ethics Richard Bett
10. Academics versus Pyrrhonists, reconsidered Gisela Striker
11. The Pyrrhonian modes Paul Woodruff
12. Pyrrhonism and medicine James Allen
13. Pyrrhonism and the specialized sciences Emidio Spinelli
Part III. Beyond Antiquity: 14. The rediscovery and posthumous influence of scepticism Luciano Floridi
15. Descartes' transformation of the sceptical tradition Michael Williams
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA], Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1]