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The Best Argument For Scepticism And Cartesian Scepticism

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What is the best argument for Scepticism? Does it succeed? Introduction Scepticism in philosophy is the denial that we can attain knowledge. In the first part of this essay, I will evaluate the two most prominent arguments for scepticism – Pyrrhonian Scepticism and Cartesian Scepticism, and conclude that the Cartesian approach is ‘best.’ It is important to note that the two schools differ in their goals of scepticism, making them incomparable on the same terms and so for the purposes of this essay, my definition of ‘best’ will be judged on two criteria: 1) Preference based on the aim of each argument – For Pyrrhonism, this is the prescriptive component recommending the suspension of belief/judgement as a way of life, and for Cartesian Scepticism, this will be the theoretical component of systematic doubt to arrive at a foundation …show more content…

However, certain beliefs (e.g., Ethical) require a natural judgement independent from human impulses. When making choices, humans make such ethical judgements (which are not pre-programmed into us like the impulse to eat) and are unavoidable to the Pyrrhonian sceptic, which would mean PS becomes impractical and unnatural. The sceptical scenarios of Cartesian Scepticism may also be challenged. One major challenge arises from Bertrand Russell, who accepts that though the evil demon scenario may be logically possible, but still thinks that we may rationally rule it out. The ‘Inference to Best Explanation’ (IBE) is a principle that we should opt for the best explanation if all else is equal between two opposing explanations. (Russell, 2001.) The ‘real-world explanation’ from the sense data acquired from our whole lives is certainly more naturally believable and more simplistic – and so, according to Russell, is the best

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