Why the 1st-century BC philosopher Aenesidemus argued that absolute truth is impossible to grasp.
In short: Aenesidemus, a Greek philosopher from Knossos, revived ancient skepticism by introducing ten modes of doubt. He argued that because our perceptions are subjective, relative, and constantly changing, we can never reach absolute knowledge. His work challenged the dogmatism of his era, leaving a legacy that still influences modern skeptical thought.
Aenesidemus remains an enigmatic figure, as his primary work, the eight-book 'Pyrrhonian Discourses', has been lost to time. Most of what we know comes from a 9th-century summary by Photius and mentions in the writings of Sextus Empiricus. Scholars believe he was a member of the Academy who broke away, possibly in reaction to the introduction of Stoic and Peripatetic dogmas by Antiochus of Ascalon or the provisional beliefs accepted by Philo of Larissa.
His core contribution was the development of ten 'tropes'—modes of argument designed to induce epoché, or the suspension of judgment. These tropes highlight the inherent unreliability of human perception. He argued that sense data vary based on the observer, the timing, the location, and the medium through which we perceive objects. Because these factors interact in ways that cannot be accurately weighed, he concluded that all human impressions are subjective and relative.
Beyond epistemology, Aenesidemus launched a rigorous attack on the theory of causality. He argued that the relationship between cause and effect is logically unthinkable, as the two must either be simultaneous—making them indistinguishable—or sequential, which creates a logical gap where the cause ceases to be effective. This radical skepticism, summarized by the principle that for every argument there is an opposing one, anticipated modern philosophical debates. His influence even reached the 18th century, when Gottlob Ernst Schulze used his name for a critique of Kantian philosophy.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Aenesidemus
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