324 l/1-33 to /l/-35
must assume from the outset that we are not unconditionally committing
ourselves to their truth, not least in view of the fact that we say that
they abolish themselves, since they are included among the things to
which they apply; they are like purgative drugs which not only eliminate
the [unhealthy] bodily humours but also drive themselves out along with
the humours. 207. And we say too that in positing them we are not in
the strict sense of the word revealing the matters for the sake of which
we adopt the utterances, but that [we do so] indifferently and, if one
likes, in a loose sense of the word. For it is not fitting for a sceptic to
quarrel over utterances; moreover, it is helpful to us that even these
utterances do not have any unqualified significance but are in fact relative,
and relative to the sceptics [themselves]. 208. Further, one must also
recall that we do not make [these utterances] universally about all matters,
but [only] about non -evident matters which are investigated dogmatically,
and that we say [only] what appears to us, and do not pronounce in such a
way as to commit ourselves to the nature of the externally existing objects.
On this basis, I think, every sophistical trick brought to bear on a
sceptical utterance can be thwarted.
Sextus M 9.1-3 [III-34]
- We suggested earlier^31 the reason why we examine the physical part
of philosophy after the logical part, though it seems to be temporally
prior to the other parts. We shall again establish the same manner of
investigation here too, not lingering over the details as the followers of
Clitomachus and the rest of the Academic chorus have done (for they
inappropriately prolonged their counter-argument by plunging into alien
subject matter and basing their arguments on a concession to other
people's dogmatic views); rather we shall attack the most important and
inclusive doctrines; for thus we shall bring the rest as well into doubt. - For in sieges those who undermine the foundation of the wall bring
down the towers along with it; similarly, in philosophical enquiries those
who defeat the basic hypotheses [which support] their theories have
implicitly annulled the grasp of the entire theory. 3. So some have not
implausibly compared those who plunge into detailed investigations to
hunters who pursue their quarry on foot, to anglers or to those who try
to catch birds with twigs and lime; and also compared those who use the
most inclusive doctrines to shake the detailed doctrines too to those who
surround [their quarry] with lines, stakes and nets. Hence, just as it is
much more craftsmanlike to be able to catch many animals at one swoop - M 7.20-21.