Pyrrhonism

English

Etymology

From (the stem of) Latin Pyrrhō +‎ -ism, after Middle French pyrrhonisme.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪɹənɪz(ə)m/

Noun

Pyrrhonism (countable and uncountable, plural Pyrrhonisms)

1. The system of skeptical philosophy established by Pyrrho of Elis, centred on the idea that nothing can be known for certain; widespread skepticism, universal doubt. [from 17th c.]
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     Whosoever shall imagine a perpetuall confession of ignorance, and a judgement upright and without staggering, to what occasion soever may chance; That man conceives the true Phyrrhonisme.

Related terms

• Pyrrhonist