Introductory description

Is scepticism a route to tranquillity and happiness? Is it a tolerant, moderate outlook promoted by any serious reflection on the human condition? Or is it part of a scientific world-view? Or a spring-board for religious faith? Or a problem in epistemology that needs to be solved if we are to uphold our right to the sorts of knowledge-claims that come naturally to us? The module will explore the rich variety of forms, functions, and arguments associated with philosophical scepticism from its inception in antiquity to the present. Philosophers to be studied include Cicero, Sextus Empiricus, Montaigne, Descartes, Gassendi, Pascal, Bayle, Hume, Jacobi, Wittgenstein, Austin, Clarke, Fogelin, Zagzebski, Stroud.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Topics to be covered include: Academic and Pyrrhonian scepticism and their interpretation; the comparison between ancient scepticism and Descartes' use of scepticism; the role of scepticism in religious toleration; the fideist interpretation of scepticism; the history of 'mitigated scepticism' from Gassendi to Hume; Jacobi's response to Humean scepticism; 20th century debates about the relation between sceptical arguments and everyday epistemic practices.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• To allow students to develop an in-depth understanding of forms of argument invoked in the history of scepticism
• To develop a detailed understanding of the variety of uses to which sceptical arguments have been put over the history of scepticism
• To relate specific traditions of sceptical thinking to their historical context
• To engage critically with sceptical (and anti-sceptical) arguments

Indicative reading list

M. Burnyeat (ed. ), The Skeptical Tradition
R. Bett (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Scepticism
M. Burnyeat & M. Frede (eds.), The Original Sceptics: A Controversy
K. M. Vogt, ' Why ancient sceptics don't doubt the existence of the external world', in G Williams & K. Volk (eds.) Roman Reflections: Studies in Latin Philosophy
P. Smith & S. Charles (eds.), Academic Scepticism in the Development of Early Modern Philosophy
R. Popkin, The History of Scepticism: From Savonarola to Bayle
J.L. Austin, Sense and Sensibilia
J. Broughton, Descartes' Method of Doubt
B. Stroud, The Significance of Philosophical Scepticism
B. Stroud, Understanding Human Knowledge
R. Fogelin, Pyrrhonian Reflections on Knowledge and Justification
J. Greco (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Skepticism
R. Pasnau, After Certainty: A History of Our Epistemic Ideals and Illusions

Subject specific skills

At the end of this course students will be able to understand and adjudicate debates about a range of central issues in epistemology and the history of philosophy.

Transferable skills

At the end of this course students will be able to

• interpret complex texts in the light of their cultural/historical contexts
• think carefully about varieties of arguments for philosophical scepticism and their significance