Pyrrho from Elis

Pirro de Élis, chamado também de Pirro o cético, (c. 369 a.C. – c. 270 a.C.) é considerado como o fundador grego da escola conhecida como “Pirronismo” 

Os princípios de sua obra são expressos pela palavra “Acatalepsia” que define a impossibilidade de se conhecer a própria natureza das coisas. Qualquer afirmação pode ser contradita por argumentos igualmente válidos. É também necessário preservar uma atitude de suspensão intelectual, ou, como Timon expressa, nenhuma afirmação pode ser considerada melhor que outra. 

Esses pensamentos devem ser aplicados na vida em geral: nada podendo ser conhecido, a única atitude adequada é “ataraxia”, i.e. "despreocupação”. 

A impossibilidade de conhecimento, mesmo em relação à nossa própria ignorância ou dúvida, deve induzir o homem sábio a resguardar-se, evitando o stress e a emoção que acompanha o debate sobre coisas imaginárias e suspender qualquer julgamento. Este ceticismo é a primeira e mais completa exposição de “agnosticismo” na história do pensamento. 

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Pyrrho was from Elis, on the Ionian Sea. His main principle of thought is expressed by the word “acatalepsia” which connotes the ability to withhold assent from doctrines regarding the truth of things in their own nature; against every statement its contradiction may be advanced with equal justification. In view of this fact, it is necessary to preserve an attitude of intellectual suspense, or, as Timon expressed it, no assertion can be known to be better than another. 

Pyrrho applied these results to life in general, concluding that, since nothing can be known, the only proper attitude is “ataraxia” i.e. “freedom of worry”. By suspending judgment, by confining oneself to phenomena or objects as they appear, and by asserting nothing definite as to how they really are, one can escape the perplexities of life and attain an imperturbable peace of mind. 

The impossibility of knowledge, even in regard to our own ignorance or doubt, should induce the wise man to withdraw into himself, avoiding the stress and emotion which belong to the contest of vain imaginings. This theory of the impossibility of knowledge is the first and most thorough exposition of “agnosticism” in the history of thought. Its ethical implications may be compared with the ideal tranquility of the “Stoics” and the “Epicureans”. 

Pyrrho is the earliest Greek philosopher who is likely to have had a direct connection with India, since Alexander took many learned men with him. It is possible, thus, that Pyrrho´s encounters with indian wise men led directly to his love of solitude and to his formulation of the Sceptics´ fundamental thesis: namely , that knowledge is impossible and that the truly wise man should therefore suspend judgement on all questions. Evidently, if Pyrrho held that the true nature of things is unknowable, the logical consequence of this is that virtuous conduct is impossible, because no one can really know what virtue is. For this reason the true philosopher will suspend judgement and refrain from all unnecessary activity.