Pyrrhonic etymology

Etymology

The term "Pyrrhonic" derives from the name of the Greek philosopher Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-270 BCE).

Meaning

Pyrrhonic refers to a philosophical school of thought known as Pyrrhonism, founded by Pyrrho. The central tenet of Pyrrhonism is suspension of judgment, or epokhē, regarding all claims to knowledge.

Origin

Pyrho taught that all beliefs, including those about the nature of reality, are inherently uncertain and unreliable. He argued that by suspending judgment and remaining in a state of epokhē, one could achieve happiness and tranquility.

Pyrrho's ideas were further developed by later Pyrrhonist philosophers, including Timon of Phlius and Sextus Empiricus. Pyrrhonism had a significant influence on the development of Western philosophy, particularly Skepticism and Empiricism.

Key Principles of Pyrrhonism

  • Epokhē (Suspension of Judgment): Pyrrhonists withhold judgment on all claims to knowledge, whether they are about metaphysics, ethics, or the external world.
  • Ataraxia (Tranquility): The goal of Pyrrhonism is to achieve a state of undisturbed peace and happiness by suspending judgment and avoiding dogmatic beliefs.
  • Isostenia (Balance of Arguments): Pyrrhonists argue that for every belief or proposition, there is an equally strong opposing argument. This balance of arguments makes it impossible to know anything for certain.
  • Aporia (Puzzlement): Pyrrhonists embrace puzzles and paradoxes and revel in the uncertainty and ambiguity of the world.

Pyrrhonic relate terms

  • antipyretic

    Etymology Greek anti against pyretos fever Meaning An antipyretic is a m

  • burro

    Etymology The word burro is derived from the Spanish word burro which in turn comes

  • empyreal

    Etymology Greek empyrios fiery of fire Latin empyreus of fire fiery French e

  • empyrean

    Etymology The word empyrean comes from the Greek word empyros ἐμπύριος w

  • fire

    Etymology The word fire comes from the Old English fīr which is ultimately derived

  • pyracanth

    Etymology The word pyracanth is derived from the Greek words pyr πῦρ meaning

  • pyre

    Etymology Old French pire piere Latin pȳra Greek πῦρ pyr Meaning A stru

  • pyretic

    Etymology Pyretic is derived from the Greek word pyretos which means fever The su

  • pyrexia

    Etymology Greek πῦρ pyros fire Latin ex out Meaning Literally out of

  • pyrite

    Etymology The word pyrite is derived from the Greek word pyr meaning fire This n

  • pyro

    Etymology Greek pyr fire Meaning Relating to fire or its properties Origin

  • pyrolusite

    Etymology The word pyrolusite is derived from two Greek words pyr πῦρ Fire

  • pyromania

    Etymology and Meaning of Pyromania Pyromania is a psychological disorder characterized b

  • Pyrrhic

    Etymology The term Pyrrhic comes from the Greek Πύρρος Pyrrhos the name of

  • sbirro

    Etymology Italian from Latin sbirrus birrus perhaps from birrus a kind of cape worn

  • scarlet

    Etymology Middle English scarlet from Old French escarlate from Late Latin scarlatum

  • Buddha

    Etymology The word Buddha originates from the Sanskrit root word budh which means

  • indict

    Etymology From Middle French enditer from Old French enditier to compose from Lat

  • peanut

    Etymology of Peanut The word peanut has two distinct etymologies English 16th ce

  • contrive

    Etymology Middle English contrive from Anglo French contriver from Latin contrōvār

  • fiscal

    Etymology The word fiscal comes from the Latin word fiscus which referred to a baske

  • crepuscular

    Etymology Latin crepusculum meaning twilight Derived from the Proto Indo European

  • apocalypse

    Etymology The word apocalypse derives from the Greek word apokálypsis which means

  • agony

    Etymology Greek ἀγωνία agōnia Meaning Contest struggle painful distr

  • conquer

    Etymology The word conquer comes from the Old French word conquerre which is derived