Scepticism (The Problems of Philosophy : Their Past and Present)

Christopher Hookway is concerned with a subject which has preoccupied philosophers for two thousand years. Some have argued that we know nothing and that none of our beliefs are justified. Others have claimed that this concern is entirely misplaced. The early chapters of "Scepticism" examine the canon of sceptical arguments by considering contrasting views, such as those of Sextus Empiricus, Descartes, and Hume, on why scepticism is important. Dr. Hookway also discusses the idea that scepticism is philosophically interesting only if it represents a genuine threat to our cognitive achievements. He maintains that sceptical arguments question our ability to carry out inquiries while retaining the sense that we can nevertheless take full responsibility for our actions. He subsequently covers contemporary discussions of scepticism.