Pyrrho
First Greek skeptic philosopher, founder of Pyrrhonism.
Pyrrho of Elis, a Greek philosopher of the Classical period, is recognized as the first skeptic philosopher and the founder of Pyrrhonism. He lived from approximately 365/360 to 275/270 BCE and hailed from Elis, a region on the Ionian Sea. Pyrrho likely belonged to the Klytidiai, a clan of seers who interpreted oracles at the Temple of Zeus in Olympia, where he served as a high priest. His student Timon of Phlius described meeting him at a temple of Amphiaraus during a pilgrimage to Delphi. Most biographical details come from Diogenes Laërtius, who relied on the third-century BC biographer Antigonus of Carystus. Unlike other Hellenistic philosophers, Pyrrho was not substantially influenced by Socrates. He traveled with Alexander the Great on his Indian campaign, reaching the Gymnosophists in India and the Magi in Persia. Pyrrho produced no written works; knowledge of his philosophy comes primarily from fragments of Timon’s writings, preserved by Sextus Empiricus, Diogenes Laërtius, and Eusebius. The primary goal of his philosophy was achieving ataraxia, a state of freedom from mental perturbation, which he believed could be attained by eschewing beliefs about thoughts and perceptions. A key summary, the Aristocles passage, quotes Timon stating that things themselves are equally indifferent, unstable, and indeterminate, and that neither senses nor opinions are true or false, leading to a stance of being without opinions, bias, or wavering. Pyrrho’s own philosophy may have differed from later Pyrrhonism, which was revived centuries later by Aenesidemus. Pyrrhonists view their philosophy as a way of life, aiming for ataraxia through epoché, or suspension of judgment, by gathering arguments of equal strength on disputed issues. The extent of Indian influences on Pyrrho is disputed; while Diogenes Laërtius reports he based his philosophy on what he learned in India, some scholars argue that philosophical skepticism already existed in Greek thought, and that communication with Indian philosophers was too difficult for substantive influence.
- field
- Philosophy
- nationality
- Greek
- known_for
- Founder of Pyrrhonism, first Greek skeptic philosopher
Lore & Background
He was from Elis, on the Ionian Sea, and likely a member of the Klytidiai, a clan of seers who interpreted the oracles of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, where Pyrrho served as a high priest. His student Timon of Phlius describes first meeting Pyrrho on the grounds of an Amphiareion while both were on a pilgrimage to Delphi. Most biographical information comes from Diogenes Laertius, who drew primarily from the works of mid-third century BC biographer Antigonus of Carystus. Unlike the founders of other Hellenistic philosophies, Pyrrho was not substantively influenced by Socrates. Pyrrho, along with Anaxarchus, traveled with Alexander the Great on his Indian campaign, going as far as the Gymnosophists in India and the Magi in Persia.
Reader's Guide
Pyrrho did not produce any written work; most information on his philosophy comes from his student Timon, preserved in fragments by Sextus Empiricus, Diogenes Laertius, and Eusebius. Little is known for certain about the details of Pyrrho's philosophy and how it may have differed from later Pyrrhonism. Most sources agree that the primary goal of his philosophy was the achievement of ataraxia, brought about by eschewing beliefs about thoughts and perceptions. A summary known as the 'Aristocles passage' quotes Timon: 'The things themselves are equally indifferent, and unstable, and indeterminate, and therefore neither our senses nor our opinions are either true or false.' It is uncertain whether Pyrrhonism was a small but continuous movement in antiquity or whether it died out and was revived. Several centuries after Pyrrho lived, Aenesidemus led a revival. Pyrrhonists view their philosophy as a way of life, aiming to attain ataraxia through epoché (suspension of judgment) by gathering arguments of equal strength on disputed issues. The sources and extent of Indian influences on Pyrrho's philosophy are disputed; some scholars discount substantive Indian influences, while others see probable influence of Indian skepticism.
Did You Know?
- Pyrrho served as a high priest in the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.
- He traveled with Alexander the Great on his Indian campaign, reaching the Gymnosophists in India and the Magi in Persia.
- Pyrrho did not produce any written work; his philosophy is known mainly through his student Timon.
- The primary goal of Pyrrho's philosophy was the achievement of ataraxia, similar to the Indo-Aryan nirvana.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pyrrho?
Pyrrho of Elis was a Greek philosopher from the 4th–3rd century BC, widely credited as the first Greek skeptic thinker. He is best known for establishing Pyrrhonism, a school of radical philosophical skepticism that shaped later Hellenistic thought.
What is Pyrrhonism?
Pyrrhonism is the skeptical tradition that Pyrrho founded, centered on withholding judgment about claims that cannot be settled with certainty. Rather than arguing for a particular truth, the Pyrrhonist practices epoché—suspension of judgment—to remain undisturbed by conflicting appearances.
What did Pyrrho believe about knowledge and truth?
Pyrrho held that all appearances are equally persuasive and contradictory, so no one can reach a definitive conclusion about the true nature of things. His response was not to deny reality but to refrain from committing to any belief, treating that non-commitment as a practical stance.
What is ataraxia in Pyrrho's philosophy?
Ataraxia, meaning freedom from mental perturbation, was the ultimate aim of Pyrrho's philosophical practice. He taught that by consistently suspending judgment on disputed matters, a person could stop being agitated by conflicting opinions and settle into inner calm.
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