Pyrrhonian Discourses

work by Aenesidemus

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July 13, 2026

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Pyrrhonian Discourses is a work by the ancient Greek philosopher Aenesidemus. Aenesidemus revived the Pyrrhonian principle of "suspended judgment" (epoche) as a way to address the problem of knowledge. He formulated 10 tropes, or arguments, to support Skepticism. These tropes explored how our perceptions and the relationship between perceiver and perceived make certain knowledge unattainable. Pyrrhonism, derived from Pyrrho of Elis, advocates for suspending judgment and accepting things as they appear, aiming for mental peace rather than definitive knowledge.123

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Aenesidemus
In his Pyrrhonian Discourses, Aenesidemus formulated 10 tropes in defense of Skepticism, four suggesting arguments that arise from the nature of the perceiver, two dealing with the thing perceived, and four concerning the relationship between the perceiver and the thing perceived.
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In his Pyrrhonian Discourses, Aenesidemus formulated 10 tropes in defense of Skepticism, four suggesting arguments that arise from the nature of the perceiver, two dealing with the thing perceived, and four concerning the relationship between the perceiver and the thing perceived.
Read More