The limits of doubt : the moral and political implications of skepticism / Petr Lom.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lom, Petr, 1968- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethics.

Skepticism.

Political science--Philosophy.

Political science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiv, 138 p. )

Place of Publication:

Albany, New York : State University of New York Press, [2001]

Summary:

"The Limits of Doubt studies the skepticism of Nietzsche, Sextus Empiricus, Hobbes, Diderot, and Montaigne in order to illustrate how different forms of skepticism can produce remarkably different implications. These include toleration; chastening of character; the prohibition of cruelty; indifference; corrosiveness of liberal principles; and freeing of the will from moral restraint. Demonstrating how skepticism is an under-determined and unstable category, accompanied by varying unquestioned intentions and beliefs, this book shows how these limits of doubt shape its various possible implications. A unique examination of skepticism from a moral and political perspective. The Limits of Doubt will interest all those concerned with the possibilities for life in an age of doubt."--Jacket.

Contents:

1 Skepticism and the Politics of Domination 11

Machiavelli and Descartes 11

Pierre Charron 14

Skepticism and the Politics of Irrational Power 17

Nietzsche, Atheism, and Cruelty 22

Nietzsche's Politics of Radical Aristocracy 25

Skepticism and the Limits of Philosophy 26

Instability of Skepticism 28

2 Ancient Skepticism: Happiness Above Truth 31

Thought of Sextus Empiricus 31

A Life Full of Doubt 32

Skepticism and Truth: Pyrrho on Ethics 36

Life of the Skeptic 39

Ancient Skepticism and Justice 41

Skepticism: Tranquillity or Despair? 43

3 Hobbes and the Peace of Dogmatic Skepticism 47

Extent of Hobbes's Skepticism 47

Political Necessity of Moral Doubt 53

Relativization of Truth 55

Hobbesian Citizen 57

4 Denis Diderot and Doubt: Constructive Skepticism 59

Ancient versus Modern Skepticism 60

Skepticism and Eclecticism 62

Rameau's Nephew 65

Limits of Doubt 68

Diderot's Political Thought 71

5 Skepticism, Cruelty, Custom, and Toleration: Michel de Montaigne 75

Skepticism and Cruelty 76

Skepticism and Custom 80

Montaigne and Custom 81

Skepticism and Toleration 87

From Skepticism to Humanism 89.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [119]-133) and index.

ISBN:

9780791490341

0791490343