Single Idea 20800

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 3. Illusion Scepticism]

Full Idea

[The sceptical Academics say] what is false cannot be perceived, but every true presentation is such that there can be a false presentation of the same quality.

Gist of Idea

Every true presentation can have a false one of the same quality

Source

M. Tullius Cicero (Academica [c.45 BCE], II.40)

Book Reference

'The Stoics Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B/Gerson,L.P. [Hackett 2008], p.41


A Reaction

It was the stoics who focused the discussion on 'presentations'. This claim is purely theoretical; no one has ever experienced a false presentation of talking to a family member that was as vivid as the real thing.