The Modes of Scepticism
Ancient Texts and Modern Interpretations

The Modes of Scepticism is one of the most important and influential of all ancient philosophical texts.

Julia Annas (Author), Jonathan Barnes (Author)

9780521276443, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 May 1985

216 pages
21.6 x 13.8 x 1.8 cm, 0.284 kg

"Succint, elegant, careful, and original, it will enlighten and stimulate three different types of reader--elementary students of philosophy, professional philosophers in general, and specialists in ancient philosophy. The credit for this unusual achievement belongs to both the authors and to the ancient Greek texts which form their subject." Journal of the History of Philosophy

The Modes of Scepticism is one of the most important and influential of all ancient philosophical texts. The texts made an enormous impact on Western thought when they were rediscovered in the 16th century and they have shaped the whole future course of Western philosophy. Despite their importance, the Modes have been little discussed in recent times. This book translates the texts and supplies them with a discursive commentary, concentrating on philosophical issues but also including historical material. The book will be of interest to professional scholars and philosophers but its clear and non-technical style makes it intelligible to beginners and the interested layman.

1. Sceptical philosophy
2. Scepticism in ancient philosophy
3. The ten modes
4. Humans and other animals
5. Human variations
6. The senses
7. Circumstances
8. Places and positions
9. Mixtures
10. Quantities
11. Relativity
12. The common and the rare
13. Customs and persuasions
Appendix A. Philo and Diogenes on the modes
Appendix B. The eight modes against causal explanations
Appendix C. The five modes of Agrippa
Appendix D. The two modes
Appendix E. Textual notes.

Subject Areas: Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500 [HPCA]