Sextus Empiricus

Sextus Empiricus (late 2nd–early 3rd century CE) was a philosopher and physician associated with Pyrrhonian skepticism. His works, mainly the Outlines of Pyrrhonism and the treatises known collectively as Against the Professors, are the most complete surviving sources on ancient skepticism. Sextus presents a method based on the suspension of judgment (epoché), achieved by setting opposing arguments of equal strength against one another. This stance is not aimed at doubt for its own sake, but at achieving tranquility of mind (ataraxia), which arises when the intellect refrains from affirming or denying what goes beyond immediate experience. His philosophy offers a radical critique of dogmatic claims in philosophy and science, while advocating a way of life guided by appearances and ordinary practices, without metaphysical commitment.