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dick scott's avatar

.good introduction

Befitevreaydingbthe new big book, interesting duscusdion

Sibbs Mat's avatar

Simon de Beauvoir's warning to the tendency toward dogmatism in philosophy brought to mind Nietzsche's criticism in Beyond Good and Evil.

Cicero gives a good solution to the problem in Skepticism. You have shown how Cicero, in his thinking, in his writing, and in his way of life conveyed the importance of this approach for meaning and eudaimonia.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book - thank you!

Massimo Pigliucci's avatar

Thank you, much appreciated!

Rob Bregmen's avatar

This was a great discussion! Skepticism as a probabilistic tool in navigating the judgement of impressions is appealing to me. At a practical level, it seems like doubt at lower to moderate levels of likelihood invites active disputation while doubt at higher levels of probability supports action 'as if a thing is true' with that caveat that new evidence could always alter the belief. Given that history is full of examples of certain beliefs that no longer hold sway, we are forced to retain doubt as a defense for what tomorrow may reveal. I'm looking forward to the book!

Massimo Pigliucci's avatar

Rob, that's exactly right. I hope you'll enjoy the book!