The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism. R. Bett (Ed.), New
York: Cambridge University Press 2010, pp. 380+xii, ISBN 780521697545.
The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism, edited by Richard Bett,
consists of an Introduction and fifteen papers written by international
authors (three of them have been diligently translated into English by the
editor). The volume presents the major figures of ancient skepticism and the
major interpretational problems. Separate papers are devoted to Pyrr…
Read moreThe Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism. R. Bett (Ed.), New
York: Cambridge University Press 2010, pp. 380+xii, ISBN 780521697545.
The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism, edited by Richard Bett,
consists of an Introduction and fifteen papers written by international
authors (three of them have been diligently translated into English by the
editor). The volume presents the major figures of ancient skepticism and the
major interpretational problems. Separate papers are devoted to Pyrrho of
Elis (Svavar Hrafn Svavarsson), Arcesilaus and Carneades (Harald
Thorsrud), Aenesidemus (R.J. Hankinson) and Sextus Empiricus (Pierre
Pellegrin). Agrippa seems to be the only missing figure on the list.
Moreover, we can also find a lot of information about the minor figures of
ancient skepticism. Mi-Kyoung Lee presents skeptical ideas in early Greek
philosophy and Carlos Levy writes about the later academic skeptics,
especially Clitomachus, Philo of Larissa and Cicero. Richard Bett in his
Introduction lists the most important problems in interpreting ancient
skepticism: What kinds of belief, if any, are open to a skeptic? Can a
skeptic allow for choice and action and if so, then how? Is skepticism
compatible with an ethical outlook? Is there a real difference between the
Academic and Pyrrhonist varieties of skepticism? Casey Perin takes on the
first one, Katja Maria Vogt—the second, Richard Bett—the third, and
Gisela Striker—the last one. We also have the next five papers presenting
other important aspects of ancient skepticism. Paul Woodruff writes about
skeptical modes, James Allen about the relation between Pyrrhonism and
medical schools, Emidio Spinelli about the critique of specialized sciences,
Luciano Floridi about the modern rediscovery of ancient skepticism, and
Michael Williams about its Cartesian transformation. The Companion is
very rich in content and very up-to-date, presenting the latest hypotheses.
Here I would like to discuss the problem of Pyrrho’s place within the
skeptical tradition.