Carneades and his heirs in Cicero’s Academici libri

This article examines the views of Carneades of Cyrene (214/3–129/8 BCE) and his followers as depicted in Cicero’s Academics. Carneades is not only known for his decision to refrain from recording his thoughts in writing but is also celebrated for his tendency to rapidly shift between different theses. This tendency is further complicated as it also seems to affect the core tenets of his “sceptical” stance. Indeed, Carneades' immediate followers offered conflicting accounts of his philosophy. Clitomachus of Carthage (187/6–110/9 BCE) regarded Carneades' philosophy as radically sceptical, contending that Carneades never granted assent to τὸ πιθανόν ("the persuasive," translated by Cicero as probabile and veri simile) nor to the notion that the σοφός (the wise person) could hold opinions and, thus, err. In contrast, Metrodorus of Stratonicea (chronology uncertain) and Philo of Larissa (159/8–84/3 BCE) maintained that Carneades did allow for these claims, thereby advocating a more moderate form of scepticism. The analysis is divided into two main parts. The first part (sections 1–2) explores the continuities and divergences between Carneades’ view and that of Arcesilaus, outlining Carneades’ key innovations. The second part (sections 3–6) contrasts interpretations of Carneades’ concept of τὸ πιθανόν, focusing on the differences among Metrodorus of Stratonicea, Philo of Larissa, and Clitomachus.