[1] Diog.  IX. 11, 78.

    [2] Hyp. I. 3, 4.

    [3] Adv.  Math. VIII. 191.

After defining the three kinds of philosophy as the Dogmatic, the Academic and the Sceptic, Sextus reminds his hearers that he does not speak dogmatically in anything that he says, but that he intends simply to present the Sceptical arguments historically, and as they appear to him.  He characterizes his treatment of the subject as general rather than critical, including a statement of the character of Scepticism, its idea, its principles, its manner of reasoning, its criterion and aim, and a presentation of the Tropes, or aspects of doubt, and the Sceptical formulae and the distinction between Scepticism and the related schools of philosophy.[1]

The result of all the gradual changes which the development of thought had brought about in the outward relations of the Sceptical School, was to increase the earnestness of the claim of the Sceptics to be simply followers of Pyrrho, the great founder of the movement.  In discussing the names given to the Sceptics, Sextus gives precedence very decidedly to the title “Pyrrhonean,” because Pyrrho appears the best representative of Scepticism, and more prominent than all who before him occupied themselves with it.[2]

It was a question much discussed among philosophers in ancient times, whether Pyrrhonism should be considered a philosophical sect or not.  Thus we find that Hippobotus in his work entitled [Greek:  peri haireseon], written shortly before our era, does not include Pyrrhonism among the other sects.[3] Diogenes himself, after some hesitation remarking that many do not consider it a sect, finally decides to call it so.[4]

    [1] Hyp. I. 5, 6.

    [2] Hyp. I. 7.

    [3] Diog. Pro. 19.

    [4] Diog. Pro. 20.

Sextus in discussing this subject calls Scepticism an [Greek:  agoge], or a movement, rather than a [Greek:  hairesis], saying that Scepticism is not a sect, if that word implies a systematic arrangement of dogmas, for the Sceptic has no dogmas.  If, however, a sect may mean simply the following of a certain system of reasoning according to what appears to be true, then Scepticism is a sect.[1] From a quotation given later on by Sextus from Aenesidemus, we know that the latter used the term [Greek:  agoge].[2] Sextus gives also the other titles, so well known as having been applied to Scepticism, namely, [Greek:  zetetike], [Greek:  ephektike], and [Greek:  aporetike].[3] The [Greek:  dunamis][4] of Scepticism is to oppose the things of sense and intellect in every possible way to each other, and through the equal weight of things opposed, or [Greek:  isostheneia], to reach first the state of suspension of judgement, and afterwards ataraxia, or “repose and tranquillity of soul."[5] The purpose of Scepticism is then the hope of ataraxia, and its origin was in the troubled