Arcesilaus (Ἀρκεσίλαος) (c.316-c.241 BC) was a Greek philosopher and founder of the New, or Middle, Academy—the sceptical phase.

Born at Pitane in Aeolia, he was trained by Autolycus the mathematician and later at Athens by Theophrastus and Crantor, by whom he was led to join the Academy. He subsequently became intimate with Polemon and Crates, whom he succeeded as head of the school (σχολαρχ).

Diogenes Laërtius says that similarly to his successor Lacydes, he died of excessive drinking, but the testimony of others (e.g. Cleanthes) and his own precepts discredit the story, and he is known to have been much respected by the Athenians. His doctrines, which must be gathered from the writings of others (Cicero, Academica 1. 12, iv. 24; De Oratorio iii. 18; Diogenes Laërtius iv. 28; Adv. Math. vii. 150, Pyrrh. Hyp. i. 233; Sextus Empiricus Against the Logicians), present an attack on the Stoic notion of φαντασια καταληπτιχη (manifest presentation, or verifiable sense-impression) as self-warranting criterion of truth and are based on the sceptical element latent in the later writings of Plato.

More on [ Arcesilaus ]

NPR Topics: Politics & Society

The Top Party School Shoots For A Lower Ranking
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0400
The University of Florida in Gainesville is the No. 1-ranked party school. It's a distinction that surprises some students, and administrators hope new policies will help the school change that reputation.
Pick Of Palin Sets Up Battle For Female Voters
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:41:00 -0400
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the first woman picked for a Republican presidential ticket, appeals to social and economic conservatives — and possibly disgruntled Clinton supporters. But it appears that John McCain will forfeit a chance to question Barack Obama's relative lack of experience.
McCain Picks Gov. Palin As Running Mate
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400
Sen. John McCain surprised a lot of people Friday by picking Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. McCain is in Dayton, Ohio to make the announcement. Madeleine Brands talk to David Schaper who's at the McCain rally in Dayton.

The Talk of the Town

Lauren Collins: The Brooklyn painter Kehinde Wiley.
Lauren Collins Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The painter Kehinde Wiley first travelled to Nigeria in 1997. He was trying to find his father, whom he had never met, or, more crucially for a portraitist, seen. (His mother didn’t have any photographs.) After several weeks in Lagos, he found his dad, who welcomed him. But--like any . . .
James Surowiecki: What drives market volatility?
James Surowiecki Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
American investors are frazzled. True, oil prices have fallen from their most vertiginous highs, the dollar is a bit stronger, and the stock market has actually risen over the past month. But none of those things have happened in a smooth and steady fashion. The stock market’s “ascent,” in particular . . .
Hendrik Hertzberg: What Barack Obama is up against.
Hendrik Hertzberg Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The week before the week before this week’s scheduled gathering of the delegates and their media camp followers in Denver, the nominee-presumptive of the Democratic Party did something that is strongly recommended, and ought to be mandatory, for anyone who has just logged a year and a half’s worth . . .

Subscribe to Society RSS feed