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Pyrrho

Pyrrho (pir'ō) [key], c.360–270 B.C., Greek philosopher, a native of Elis, regarded as the father of skepticism. After accompanying Alexander the Great to Asia, he enjoyed great respect at Elis and Athens. His doctrines were preserved by his disciple, Timon of Phlius, in satires. Pyrrho taught that nothing can be known, because the contradictory of every statement can be maintained with equal plausibility. Hence the philosophic attitude is one of suspended judgment and imperturbability.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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