Pyrrho of Elis (l. c. 360 to c. 270 BCE) was a Greek skeptic philosopher who claimed one could attain peace of mind by refraining from judgment or claiming certain knowledge of anything.

What is Pyrrho of Elis best known for?

Pyrrho of Elis is best known for his claim that one should reject the temptation to make judgments or state conclusions because one's sense could not be trusted as accurate.

Pyrrhonism is the skeptical philosophical system founded by Pyrrho of Elis that advocates a skeptical view of any claims made about reality because sense perceptions cannot accurately interpret that reality. Peace of mind is possible for those who refrain from making judgments about reality and other people.

Did Pyrrho of Elis write anything?

Pyrrho of Elis is thought to have written poetry but no philosophical works. His beliefs are known through the works of later writers, and none of his poetry has survived.

Pyrrho

Definition

Pyrrho of Elis (l. c. 360 to c. 270 BCE) was a Greek skeptic philosopher credited with founding the school of Pyrrhonism which taught that one must resist making judgments or stating conclusions because sense perception did not correlate to reality. By remaining skeptical of any dogma, he said, one would lead a peaceful life.

More about: Pyrrho

Timeline

c. 360 BCE - c. 270 BCE
Life of skeptic Philosopher Pyrrho of Elis.
c. 327 BCE
Pyrrho of Elis, accompanying Alexander the Great on Indian campaign, meets and confers with wisemen.

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