The Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers · Chapter
Pyrrho explained
This chapter details the life and philosophy of Pyrrho of Elis, the founder of Skepticism.
What happens
This chapter details the life and philosophy of Pyrrho of Elis, the founder of Skepticism. It describes his early life as a painter, his travels with Anaxarchus to India where he encountered the Gymnosophists and Magi, and his development of the doctrine of incomprehensibility and suspension of judgment. The chapter recounts anecdotes illustrating his indifference and impassiveness, his honor by his country, and his influence on later philosophers such as Timon and Epicurus. It also discusses the origins and principles of the Skeptic school, tracing its roots to earlier thinkers like Homer, Xenophanes, and Democritus.
Themes in this chapter
Wisdom vs. Sophistry
Pyrrho opposed the Sophists and their dogmatic claims, advocating for suspension of judgment and the rejection of absolute truth.
Ethics and Self-Control
Pyrrho's life exemplified indifference and impassiveness, as seen in his calm during a storm and his response to injury, reflecting his ethical ideal of undisturbed tranquility.
Characters to notice
- Pyrrho
Main subject of the chapter; founder of Skepticism, known for his doctrine of incomprehensibility and suspension of judgment.
- Anaxarchus
Pyrrho's teacher and companion; Pyrrho accompanied him to India and learned from the Gymnosophists and Magi.
- Timon of Phlius
Disciple of Pyrrho who wrote the Silloi and praised Pyrrho's happiness and freedom from dogma.
- Epicurus
Admired Pyrrho's conversation and manners, and frequently asked about him according to Nausiphanes.
- Democritus
Mentioned as a precursor to Skepticism; Pyrrho was especially fond of him.
- Nausiphanes
Disciple of Pyrrho who was charmed by him and later became the master of Epicurus.
Key passages
“For he used to say that nothing was honorable, or disgraceful, or just, or unjust. And on the same principle he asserted that there was no such thing as downright truth; but that men did everything in consequence of custom and law. For that nothing was any more this than that.”
Pyrrho taught that nothing is inherently honorable or disgraceful, just or unjust; there is no absolute truth, only custom and law, and no thing is more one way than another.
Core tenet of Pyrrho's skepticism: the relativity of values and the suspension of judgment.
“And his life corresponded to his principles; for he never shunned anything, and never guarded against anything; encountering everything, even wagons for instance, and precipices, and dogs, and everything of that sort; committing nothing whatever to his senses. So that he used to be saved, as Antigonus the Carystian tells us, by his friends who accompanied him.”
Pyrrho lived according to his philosophy, taking no precautions against dangers like wagons, cliffs, or dogs, and was saved only by his friends who watched over him.
Illustrates Pyrrho's extreme indifference and reliance on others for safety.
“And once, when some medicines of a consuming tendency, and some cutting and cautery was applied to him for some wound, that he never even contracted his brow.”
When Pyrrho was treated with caustic medicines, surgery, and cautery for a wound, he did not even frown.
Demonstrates Pyrrho's remarkable impassiveness and self-control.