- Siberian Journal of Philosophy
- Archive
- 2018
- No. 1 (Vol. 16)
- History of philosophy
Ancient Skepticism and Political Activity
Brovkin V. V.
1. Institute of Philosophy and Law SB RAS, 8 Nikolaev Str., Novosibirsk, 630090, Russian Federation
drakar@ngs.ru
The material was received by the Editorial Board: 23.11.2017
A distinction is made between Pyrrho and neo-pyrrhonists on their attitude towards practical activity. In Pirron, the desire for an indifferent attitude toward life was combined with separate manifestations of preference and avoidance. Neo-pyrrhonists separated dogmatic questions from everyday concerns. In relation to dogmatic questions, skeptics took theposition of abstaining from judgment. In relation to everyday matters, they took the position of following customs and laws. It is established that skeptics in the political sphere were supporters of conservatism and political conformism. At the same time, in the conditions of political crisis, the skeptic can make decisions based on his own observations.
Keywords: Skeptics, Pyrrho, Sextus Empiricist, politics, practical activity, abstention from judgment, conservatism, political conformism.
References: Brovkin V. V. Ancient Skepticism and Political Activity. Siberian Journal of Philosophy. 2018, vol. 16, no. 1. P. 192–203. DOI: 10.25205/2541-7517-2018-16-1-192-203