the root of the word Pyrrhonism could be traced to either, the word 'pyrrhic', as in to lose the war but win the battle, or the greek root of the word fire, aka 'phyro', meaning fire or pyre (burial fire/ritual). the 'philosophers of fire', aka the alchemists (and the Medieval Hermeticists), are descended from that lineage, descending from philosophers such as Hereclites (philosopher of fire) etc.... the only constant is change (etc), which you can't touch or smell or taste, only know, through 'gnosis'! this is a great essay, that touches on some really important points. so glad you wrote it, and i'm so glad i read it.
I learned early to play "What if everything you believe is wrong?" It can be played anywhere, anytime, and as long as you wish. I discovered all my upsets, disagreements, or angst were attached to a belief organized around my expectations. Change the belief, and the upset changed. The ones I could not seem to change, I labeled commitments. Eventually, I found where all of it was missing. Remaining in that clearing has only been temporary. Days of there are exhilarating.
Great post! This also reminded me of Hume's philosophy. He himself was accused of Pyrrhonism given his thoughts on causal connections being merely two events that follow each other in time but that the human mind interprets as having a causal connection.
I tend to believe that all time based / memory knowing can only be relative and only for a period of time but any absolute truth is beyond reason, beyond mind conscious knowing... but of course, i am more than likely wrong.... imo
the root of the word Pyrrhonism could be traced to either, the word 'pyrrhic', as in to lose the war but win the battle, or the greek root of the word fire, aka 'phyro', meaning fire or pyre (burial fire/ritual). the 'philosophers of fire', aka the alchemists (and the Medieval Hermeticists), are descended from that lineage, descending from philosophers such as Hereclites (philosopher of fire) etc.... the only constant is change (etc), which you can't touch or smell or taste, only know, through 'gnosis'! this is a great essay, that touches on some really important points. so glad you wrote it, and i'm so glad i read it.
Very interesting, never heard of this before. Will be following you.
I learned early to play "What if everything you believe is wrong?" It can be played anywhere, anytime, and as long as you wish. I discovered all my upsets, disagreements, or angst were attached to a belief organized around my expectations. Change the belief, and the upset changed. The ones I could not seem to change, I labeled commitments. Eventually, I found where all of it was missing. Remaining in that clearing has only been temporary. Days of there are exhilarating.
1/ this is fascinating
2/ this seems extremely close to nihilism, or even postmodern literature, which is full of fractured narratives and unreliable voices.
Great post! This also reminded me of Hume's philosophy. He himself was accused of Pyrrhonism given his thoughts on causal connections being merely two events that follow each other in time but that the human mind interprets as having a causal connection.
a quote from 'my back pages' by B Dylan
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I'm younger than that now...
'All belief is make believe' by myself
I tend to believe that all time based / memory knowing can only be relative and only for a period of time but any absolute truth is beyond reason, beyond mind conscious knowing... but of course, i am more than likely wrong.... imo