Anthony Charpentier
Due Date: 10/7/14
PHI 307 – Ancient Philosophy
First Essay Assignment
Xenophanes, Socrates, Plato on the possibility of knowledge

Skepticism – A skeptical attitude; doubt as to the truth of something. In ordinary skepticism this would mean someone who would doubt the existence of something. A difference between the two is normal skepticism is you try to get it clear in your head. Ordinary doubt - or local skepticism - can usually be tested - and even when it can't, there may well come a time when it can. Many philosophers have had their own version and interpretation of skepticism. Skeptics only denies we have knowledge but does not deny our belief or opinion. Most of which our true belief is just luck and lucky guesses are not knowledge. An example of this can be found in a reading from Humes which he explained that he does not perceive anything else besides his perceptions such as immaterial substance. From different philosophers and readings we can understand there are many different meanings and interpretations of skepticism. According to Philonous presents an argument against Hylas stating that only ideas are perceived, nothing else and thus that we are aware only of the mind. Philonous proceeds to use the same arguments as John Locke to prove things are independent of the mind. Philonous uses a similar example to that of John Locke in which he states, “suppose now one of your hands hot, and the other cold, and that they are both at once put into the same vessel of water in an immediate state’ will not the water seem cold to one hand and warm to another?” (The Empiricists, pg 225). We perceive things differently and because how we perceive them through our minds. On pg 248 of The Empiricists Hylas acknowledges whatever we perceive we perceive by senses and immediately. Hylas uses an example of “I took a picture or statue of Juluis