Philosophy of Skepticism

A branch of philosophy that examines the nature, scope, and justification of skeptical arguments throughout history—from Pyrrho and Sextus Empiricus to Descartes, Hume, and contemporary epistemology. It analyzes different forms of skepticism (global, local, methodological), the paradoxes of skeptical self‑refutation, and the responses to skepticism such as foundationalism, coherentism, and common‑sense philosophy. The philosophy of skepticism is not itself skeptical; it is the disciplined study of skepticism as a philosophical tradition and problem.

Example: “His work in the philosophy of skepticism traced how ancient Pyrrhonism differed from modern Cartesian doubt—one sought tranquility through suspension of judgment, the other used doubt as a tool for indubitable foundations.”

Philosophy of Skepticism by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 24, 2026