Philosophers skepticism Essay

incredulity, which derives from the Greek word skeptesthai, is the philosophical outlook that decl bes knowing anything with assertion is impossible. This term lavatory to a fault signify an unwillingness to accept anything without suitable proof. Skepticism originated in the 5th century BC in Greece when true philosophers began to express their doubts about how certain they could be about the knowledge they obtained and lived by. These philosophers include Protagoras of Abdera (480-411 BC) and Gorgias (485-380 BC), whom both showed perplexity about the innovation and how it is perceived.Protagoras is reported to have verbalize that, man is the measure of all things Moore and Bruder (2005). He meant that each persons opinions are different, so what is true for one person whitethorn non be for another person. Gorgias has said cypher exists if anything does exist, it cannot be known if anything exists and can be known, it cannot be communicated Moore and Bruder (2005). Gorgi ass theory was self explanatory nothing exists and even if it did, it cannot be communicated. Therefore, at that place is no real proof that something exists at all.The history of Skepticism has three predominate periods the pre- academician, the Academic and the post Academic. The pre Academic period started with Pyrrho, who was from the western side of the Greek Pelopnnesus, Elis. He believed that true universe is unknown so judgments should not be make by anyone. Pyrrho was corresponding Socrates because he never kept a record of his philosophy in writing. For that reason, most information regarding Pyrrho comes from his pupils writings, Timon. Pyrrho preferred to provide his pursual with tools to live a commendable life, which included peaceful living accord to the natural laws during his time.Pyrrho also believed that the five senses are contradictory of one another when referred to genius and essence. For example, when a person tastes honey, is the sweetness in the honey or in that person? This question is wind upd because what tastes good to one person may be tasteless to another. Certain foods may also look ambrosian but have a bitter taste (diCarlo, 2009). In these bad-tempered instances, the five senses are contradictory of one another. Pyrrho and Timon both believed that the conflicting suppositions regarding disposition are impossible to decide since valid arguments can be made for each side.The Academic period began after the death of Socrates, when Plato started The Academy, a trail of philosophy located in Athens. Academic skeptics introduced two important elements to skepticism the origin included developing an organized attack toward doctrinaire positions, including the metaphysics of Plato the insurgent included the development of rules and vocabulary to cope and interact with their experiences. One of the first Academic skeptics was Arcesilaus (315 BCE-240 BCE), who was the leader of Platos Academy.He channeled his energy toward the Stoics, who believed certain views are self evidently true, therefore, they cannot be doubted. The Post-Academic Skeptics included Aenesidemus and Sextus Empiricus. Aenesidemus developed the tropoi (10 modes of skepticism), a stigmatize of skeptical argument forms, or modes, to show that judgment must be withheld on any issue. These 10 modes of skepticism ranged from perception differences to cultural differences, and allowed a skeptic to criticize any metaphysical doctrine (diCarlo, 2009).Sextus created Empiricuss Outlines of Pyrrhonism, which, depict a school of thought which was named after the philosopher Pyrrho of Elis (c. 365-275 B. C. )( Sextus Empiricuss Outlines of Pyrrhonism, 2006). In the world today, skepticism is a part of human nature. Most people raise doubt because of inexperience or bad experiences from their past. Some individuals, like law enforcement policemans and judges, are forced to be skeptical everyday due to their occupations. searing decisions ha ve a lasting effect on their lives, and the lives of those they are associated with during work. constabulary enforcement officers put their lives on the line everyday so skepticism is incumbent to survive. Police officers are required to be doubtful because they could rick compromising or naive if they allow others to fool them. Simply pulling mortal over for a traffic violation could turn fatal if the officers do not think critically and take certain safety measures. Although the officer may have intentions on just writing the person a citation, they might feel threatened and become violent.Judges are also faced with skepticism on a daily basis because there are two sides of the story, and the judge makes the decisions. The judge has to make the right selection and determine who is being honest based on evidence and their experience. Skepticism plays a major role because the judges are usually familiar with the body language and gestures made by someone who is guilty, so they become skeptical of their behavior. Overall, society displays skepticism about the smallest things because bad experiences or gullibility.ReferencesMoore, Brooke N. , & Bruder, Kenneth. (2005). school of thought The Power of Ideas (6th ed. ). McGraw-Hill Companies. PhilosophyOnline (2009). A Brief History of Scepticism. PhilosophyOnline. co. uk. Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http//www. philosophyonline. co. uk/tok/scepticism8. htm Sextus Empiricuss Outlines of Pyrrhonism (2006). Alex Scott. Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http//www. angelfire. com/md2/timewarp/skepticism. html The mesh Encyclopedia of Philosophy (2006). Aenesidemus (1st Cn. CE). The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http//www. iep. utm. edu/a/aeneside. htm