Arcesilao scettico? Problemi e considerazioni

This paper concerns the philosophy of Arcesilaus, the scholarch of Plato’s Academy from 268/264 B.C. Usually, Arcesilaus is considered to be the origin of the “skeptical turn” of Hellenistic Platonism. By making constant reference to ancient sources, I will problematize this assumption, showing how Arcesilaus was not a skeptical philosopher at all if by this label we mean referring to the concept of skepticism of the Neo-Pyrrhonian tradition. The careful analysis of the evidence leads to the conclusion that in all likelihood Arcesilaus had a precise position about the nature of things, which were considered obscure and ungraspable. Hence the theorization of the epoche peri panton (the suspension of judgment on all things) and the weakness of the senses and the mind in cognitive activity. Such a position cannot be regarded as skeptical. Arcesilaus’ stance is understandable within Plato’s philosophy, of which the scholarch gives an interpretation that is certainly peculiar but not illicit.