Monday 9 July 2018

Perpetually Troubled

For those who hold the opinion that things are good or bad by nature are perpetually troubled. When they lack what they believe to be good, they take themselves to be persecuted by natural evils and they pursue what (so they think) is good. And when they have acquired these things, they experience more troubles; for they are elated beyond reason and measure, and in fear of change they do anything so as not to lose what they believe to be good. But those who make no determination about what is good or bad by nature neither avoid nor pursue anything with intensity; and hence they are tranquil.

Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Scepticism. Translated by Annas and Barnes.

1 comment:

  1. But then the skeptical opinion would be a good that is sought and one would constantly have to struggle to maintain, would it not? And isn't that skeptical belief preferred and desired by the skeptic while its contrary is avoided in thought? Surely the skeptic would still struggle with desires; for food and proper food, no doubt; and would struggle with eating good that was tasted badly, for example, but was simple and healthy and not sought for tasting good (because to seek or prefer food that tastes good would mean making a determination about the nature of the food; namely, of its quality).

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