Single Idea 3575

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / D. Scepticism / 2. Types of Scepticism]

Full Idea

The classical Five Modes of Scepticism are Discrepancy (people always disagree), Relativity ('according to you'), Infinity (infinite regress of questions), Assumption (ending in dogma) and Circularity (end up where you started).

Gist of Idea

Scepticism can involve discrepancy, relativity, infinity, assumption and circularity

Source

Michael Williams (Problems of Knowledge [2001], Ch. 5)

Book Reference

Williams,Michael: 'Problems of Knowledge' [OUP 2001], p.61


A Reaction

I take Relativity to be different from scepticism (because, roughly, it says there is nothing to know), and the others go with Agrippa's Trilemma of justification, which may have solutions.