Ideas from 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism' by Sextus Empiricus [180], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism' by Sextus Empiricus (ed/tr Bury,R.G.) [Prometheus 1990,0-87975-597-0]].

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1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 2. Analysis by Division

1887	You cannot divide anything into many parts, because after the first division you are no longer dividing the original

2. Reason / E. Argument / 6. Conclusive Proof

1885	Proof moves from agreed premises to a non-evident inference

5. Theory of Logic / B. Logical Consequence / 8. Material Implication

12196

A valid hypothetical syllogism is 'that which does not begin with a truth and end with a falsehood'

5. Theory of Logic / L. Paradox / 7. Paradoxes of Time

1902	Since Socrates either died when he was alive (a contradiction) or died when he was dead (meaningless), he didn't die

11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 2. Common Sense Certainty

1889	If an argument has an absurd conclusion, we should not assent to the absurdity, but avoid the absurd argument

11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 1. Perceptual Realism / c. Representative realism

1871	Whether honey is essentially sweet may be doubted, as it is a matter of judgement rather than appearance

12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 5. Interpretation

1883	How can the intellect know if sensation is reliable if it doesn't directly see external objects?

12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 3. Pragmatism

1890	We distinguish ambiguities by seeing what is useful

13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 1. Scepticism

1870	The basis of scepticism is the claim that every proposition has an equal opposing proposition

13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism

1882	The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing

1872	The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand

1873	If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape

1881	The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it

13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 1. Relativism

1874	How can we judge between our impressions and those of other animals, when we ourselves are involved?

13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 3. Subjectivism

1876	If we enjoy different things, presumably we receive different impressions

1879	Sickness is perfectly natural to the sick, so their natural perceptions should carry some weight

1880	Some actions seem shameful when sober but not when drunk

1877	If we had no hearing or sight, we would assume no sound or sight exists, so there may be unsensed qualities

1878	Water that seems lukewarm can seem very hot on inflamed skin

13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 4. Cultural relativism

1910	With us it is shameful for men to wear earrings, but among Syrians it is considered noble

1911	Even if all known nations agree on a practice, there may be unknown nations which disagree

14. Science / C. Induction / 3. Limits of Induction

1886	If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction

18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 6. Judgement / a. Nature of Judgement

1884	If we utter three steps of a logical argument, they never exist together

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 4. Naturalised causation

1894	Some say that causes are physical, some say not

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 7. Eliminating causation

1896	If there were no causes then everything would have been randomly produced by everything

1897	Knowing an effect results from a cause means knowing that the cause belongs with the effect, which is circular

1898	Cause can't exist before effect, or exist at the same time, so it doesn't exist

26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / c. Conditions of causation

1895	Causes are either equal to the effect, or they link equally with other causes, or they contribute slightly

27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / a. Explaining movement

1899	Does the original self-mover push itself from behind, or pull itself from in front?

1900	If time and place are infinitely divided, it becomes impossible for movement ever to begin

1901	If all atoms, times and places are the same, everything should move with equal velocity

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / b. Relative time

1903	If motion and rest are abolished, so is time

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / i. Denying time

1904	Time must be unlimited, but past and present can't be non-existent, and can't be now, so time does not exist

27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / c. Intervals

1905	How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another?

28. God / A. Divine Nature / 2. Divine Nature

1891	How can we agree on the concept of God, unless we agree on his substance or form or place?

28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique

1892	The existence of God can't be self-evident or everyone would have agreed on it, so it needs demonstration

29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / d. Natural Evil

1893	If God foresaw evil he would presumably prevent it, and if he only foresees some things, why those things?