Pyrrhonian
9.9
A person who doubts that we can know anything for certain
- noun
- /pɪˈroʊniən/
- Formal
:
pirroniano
- The debate was lively, with a Pyrrhonian arguing against the possibility of ever truly knowing anything.
Examples
-
Following Sextus and the Pyrrhonians generally, he insists that our criteria must be practical, not theoretical.
Academic text (2000) -
As a Pyrrhonian, she questioned the certainty of all knowledge, believing in the importance of skepticism.
-
He identified as a Pyrrhonian because he valued doubt and skepticism in every argument presented.
Synonyms
77
4.1
A person who often doubts accepted ideas and asks for proof
is more extreme, denying that any knowledge can be certain
doubter
vsPyrrhonian
19
4.2
A person who does not believe something is true or is unsure about it
is more radical, doubting the very possibility of certain knowledge
doubting Thomas
vsPyrrhonian
2
7.5
A person who does not believe something without clear proof
is broader and more extreme, doubting whether certainty exists at all
How Skeptical
Surface Forms
Pyrrhonian singular
Pyrrhonians plural
Etymology
A Pyrrhonian is named after the Greek philosopher Pyrrho, meaning a person who follows his teaching to 'doubt' all claims. So, a Pyrrhonian is someone who practices extreme skepticism and often refuses to say that anything is certain.