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Epochē

ἐποχή · epochē

SkepticAcademyjudgmenttranquility

Suspension of judgment — the skeptic’s refusal to assent where reasons are evenly balanced.

Holding back assent

Epochē is the suspension of judgment urged by the Skeptics: where the arguments on either side appear equal, the wise withhold assent and so attain tranquility. Under Arcesilaus and Carneades the Academy itself turned skeptical, wielding epochē against the Stoic claim that some impressions compel belief. It is doubt refined into a discipline of peace.

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