316 ///-27 to ///-31
Having discussed this much regarding those who seem to have views
comparable to the sceptical approach, let us with these words bring to a
close the general account of scepticism and the first book of the Outlines.
Sextus PH 3.280-281 [III-28]
Ch. xxxii Why the Sceptic Sometimes Purposely Employs
Arguments Lacking in Persuasiveness
- The sceptic, because he loves humanity, wishes to cure dogmatists
of their opinions and rashness, with reasoning, so far as possible. So,
just as doctors have remedies of different strengths for bodily ailments
and for those suffering excessively employs the strong ones and for those
suffering mildly the mild ones, so the sceptic puts forth arguments that
differ in strength; 281. he employs those which are weighty and able to
destroy forcefully the dogmatist's ailment, viz. opinion, in those cases
where the disease is caused by excessive rashness, and those which are
less weighty in the cases where the ailment, viz. opinion, is superficial
and easy to cure and for those who are able to be healed by less weighty
persuasions. For this reason, one inspired by scepticism does not hesitate
to employ on some occasions arguments that are strongly persuasive, and
apparently weaker ones on other occasions. He uses the latter on purpose,
since they are frequently sufficient to accomplish his objective.
Sextus M 8.479-481 [III-29]
- Yes, they say, but [the argument] which concludes that there is
no demonstration refutes itself by being demonstrative. In response to
this we must say that it does not refute itself utterly. For many things
are said in a way which implies exceptions; and as we say that Zeus is
the father of gods and men with an implied exception of this very point
(for he is surely not his own father!), so too when we say that there is
no demonstration we say so with an implicit exception for the argument
which demonstrates that there is no demonstration. For this alone is a
demonstration. 480. And if it refutes itself it is not thereby established
that demonstration exists. For there are many things which do to them-
selves the same thing as they do to other things. For example, just as
fire consumes its fuel and then destroys itself along with it, and just
as purgative medicines expel fluids from the body and then eliminate
themselves as well, in the same way the argument against demonstration
is able to wipe itself out after having destroyed all demonstration. 481.
And again, just as it is not impossible for someone, after climbing up a
ladder to a higher place, to knock down the ladder with his foot after he
gets up there, so too it is not unreasonable for the sceptic, after arriving