Sextus Empiricus’ Moral Scepticism Revisited

Yıl 2023, Sayı: 2, 92 - 105, 19.10.2023

Işıl Çeşmeli

Öz

Pyrrhonism, named after the scepticism of Pyrrho of Elis, as one of the significant philosophical doctrines in the history of philosophy, was revived by Aenesidemus and Agrippa, and defended by Sextus Empiricus, its last follower, against criticisms in the theoretical and practical contexts. Pyrrhonian scepticism, based on three tenets as the state of equipollence, suspension of judgment and ataraxia, accepts adherence to appearances as a practical guide for life. The aim of this study is to discuss Sextus’ objections regarding two main problems, the nature of good and evil and the art of living, elaborated in Outlines of Pyrrhonism and Against the Ethicists and contemporary remarks on the subject. Thus, it will be addressed whether the sceptic way of life prescribed by Sextus is compatible with his theoretical framework and therefore, whether it can be applied in practice.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pyrrhonian Scepticism, Suspension of Judgement, Appearances, The Nature of Good and Bad, The Art of Living

Sextus Empiricus’un Ahlaki Kuşkuculuğuna Yeniden Bakış

Öz

Felsefe tarihinin önemli felsefi öğretilerden biri olarak kabul edilen Elisli Pyrrhon’un kuşkuculuğundan adını alan Pyrrhonculuk, Aenesidemos ve Agrippa ile yeniden canlandırılmış, teorik ve pratik bağlamda eleştirilere karşı son temsilcisi, Sextus Empiricus tarafından savunulmuştur. Eşgüçlülük, yargıyı askıya alma ve sükûnet (ataraxia) olmak üzere üç ilke üzerinden temellendirilen Pyrrhoncu kuşkuculuk, görünüşlere bağlı kalmayı yaşam için pratik bir yol gösterici olarak kabul eder. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Sextus’un Outlines of Pyrrhonism ve Against the Ethicists adlı eserlerinde detaylandırdığı iyinin ve kötünün doğası ile yaşam sanatı olmak üzere başlıca iki sorunla ilgili itirazlarını ve konu ile ilgili çağdaş yorumları tartışmaktır. Böylelikle, Sextus’un reçete ettiği kuşkucu yaşam tarzının onun sunduğu teorik çerçeveyle uyumlu olup olmadığı ve dolayısıyla pratiğe uygulanıp uygulanamayacağı ele alınacaktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pyrrhoncu Kuşkuculuk, Yargıyı Askıya Alma, Görünüşler, İyinin ve Kötünün Doğası, Yaşam Sanatı

Kaynakça

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