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
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You cannot divide anything into many parts, because after the first division you are no longer dividing the original
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2. Reason / E. Argument / 6. Conclusive Proof
1885
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Proof moves from agreed premises to a non-evident inference
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5. Theory of Logic / B. Logical Consequence / 8. Material Implication
12196
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A valid hypothetical syllogism is 'that which does not begin with a truth and end with a falsehood'
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5. Theory of Logic / L. Paradox / 7. Paradoxes of Time
1902
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Since Socrates either died when he was alive (a contradiction) or died when he was dead (meaningless), he didn't die
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11. Knowledge Aims / B. Certain Knowledge / 2. Common Sense Certainty
1889
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If an argument has an absurd conclusion, we should not assent to the absurdity, but avoid the absurd argument
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11. Knowledge Aims / C. Knowing Reality / 1. Perceptual Realism / c. Representative realism
1871
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Whether honey is essentially sweet may be doubted, as it is a matter of judgement rather than appearance
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12. Knowledge Sources / B. Perception / 5. Interpretation
1883
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How can the intellect know if sensation is reliable if it doesn't directly see external objects?
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12. Knowledge Sources / D. Empiricism / 3. Pragmatism
1890
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We distinguish ambiguities by seeing what is useful
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13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 1. Scepticism
1870
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The basis of scepticism is the claim that every proposition has an equal opposing proposition
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13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism
1881
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The same oar seems bent in water and straight when out of it
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1882
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The necks of doves appear different in colour depending on the angle of viewing
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1872
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The same tower appears round from a distance, but square close at hand
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1873
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If we press the side of an eyeball, objects appear a different shape
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13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 1. Relativism
1874
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How can we judge between our impressions and those of other animals, when we ourselves are involved?
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13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 3. Subjectivism
1879
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Sickness is perfectly natural to the sick, so their natural perceptions should carry some weight
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1877
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If we had no hearing or sight, we would assume no sound or sight exists, so there may be unsensed qualities
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1880
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Some actions seem shameful when sober but not when drunk
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1878
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Water that seems lukewarm can seem very hot on inflamed skin
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1876
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If we enjoy different things, presumably we receive different impressions
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13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 4. Cultural relativism
1910
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With us it is shameful for men to wear earrings, but among Syrians it is considered noble
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1911
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Even if all known nations agree on a practice, there may be unknown nations which disagree
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14. Science / C. Induction / 3. Limits of Induction
1886
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If you don't view every particular, you may miss the one which disproves your universal induction
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18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 6. Judgement / a. Nature of Judgement
1884
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If we utter three steps of a logical argument, they never exist together
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26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 4. Naturalised causation
1894
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Some say that causes are physical, some say not
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26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 7. Eliminating causation
1897
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Knowing an effect results from a cause means knowing that the cause belongs with the effect, which is circular
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1898
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Cause can't exist before effect, or exist at the same time, so it doesn't exist
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1896
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If there were no causes then everything would have been randomly produced by everything
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26. Natural Theory / C. Causation / 8. Particular Causation / c. Conditions of causation
1895
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Causes are either equal to the effect, or they link equally with other causes, or they contribute slightly
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27. Natural Reality / A. Classical Physics / 1. Mechanics / a. Explaining movement
1900
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If time and place are infinitely divided, it becomes impossible for movement ever to begin
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1901
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If all atoms, times and places are the same, everything should move with equal velocity
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1899
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Does the original self-mover push itself from behind, or pull itself from in front?
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27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / b. Relative time
1903
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If motion and rest are abolished, so is time
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27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / i. Denying time
1904
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Time must be unlimited, but past and present can't be non-existent, and can't be now, so time does not exist
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27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 3. Parts of Time / c. Intervals
1905
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How can time be divisible if we can't compare one length of time with another?
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28. God / A. Divine Nature / 2. Divine Nature
1891
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How can we agree on the concept of God, unless we agree on his substance or form or place?
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28. God / B. Proving God / 2. Proofs of Reason / b. Ontological Proof critique
1892
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The existence of God can't be self-evident or everyone would have agreed on it, so it needs demonstration
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29. Religion / D. Religious Issues / 3. Problem of Evil / d. Natural Evil
1893
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If God foresaw evil he would presumably prevent it, and if he only foresees some things, why those things?
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