Sextus Empiricus and Greek Scepticism

Book Excerpt: e many other ways inwhich it could have originated, as those who have studied theorigin of names will readily grant, perhaps indeed, from thetitle of the above-named work, Greek: empeirika hupomn mata.]The chief argument for this view of the case is that there wereother leaders of the Sceptical School, for whom we can claim fargreater influence as Empiricists than for Sextus, and for whomthe surname Empiricus would have been more appropriate, if itwas given in consequence of prominence in the Empirical School.Sextus is known to the world as a Sceptic, and not as aphysician. He was classed in later times with Pyrrho, and hisphilosophical works survived, while his medical writings didnot, but are chiefly known from his own mention of them.Moreover, the passage which we have quoted from theHypotyposes is too strong to allow us easily to believe thatSextus remained all his life a member of the Empirical School.He could hardly have said, "Nor would it suit the Sceptic totake that sect upRead More