Pyrrho
(c.360-272BC)
The first Sceptic
was born in Elis, and studied philosophy under Anaxarchus. He joined Alexander
the Great on his expedition to the East, and there was introduced to the teachings
of the Persian magi and the Indian Brahmans.
Pyrrho denied practically everything: he believed objective know-ledge is
impossible to achieve and that one should free onesef from opinions, passions,
be calm at mind and soul and totally turn one's back on the world.
To Pyrrho, life and death was one and the same, and he lived acc-ordingly:
crossing a street he never looked around, and if a wagon came against him
he did not turn back, constantly being rescued by friends and disciples. Even
so, Pyrrho lived to be at least 90.
