Pyrrho Of Elis

By Miguel Santiago

Miguel Santiago
3 min readJul 28, 2023

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Pyrrho of Elis (360–270 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher and one of the earliest sceptics. Born in Elis, Greece, Pyrrho travelled extensively and studied under philosophers such as Anaxarchus and Indian gymnosophists during his voyages to India with Alexander the Great.

Pyrrho’s philosophical outlook centred around scepticism, the belief that knowledge and certainty are unattainable. He argued that our senses and perceptions are fallible and subject to cognitive biases, making it impossible to ascertain the true nature of the external world. Pyrrho believed that by suspending judgment and adopting a state of serenity, individuals could achieve tranquillity and freedom from the disturbances caused by opinions and beliefs.

Pyrrho’s philosophical approach was heavily influenced by his observations of the varied cultural practices and beliefs he encountered during his travels. He posited that reality was subjective and relative, shaped differently by each person’s cultural, societal, and individual perspectives.

Though Pyrrho did not write any known works, his teachings were recorded and transmitted by his pupil Timon of Phlius and other later philosophers. These writings, however, are only fragmentary and often focus on the sceptical aspects of his philosophy rather than providing a comprehensive account of his thoughts.

Pyrrho’s sceptical philosophy profoundly impacted subsequent philosophical traditions, particularly on the development of…

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Miguel Santiago
Miguel Santiago

Written by Miguel Santiago

In the silent voices of my heart, I walk alone, where shadows weep and dreams lay shattered, like remnants of a storm long past.

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