As reported by Sextus Empiricus - Classic Text | Alexandria
As Reported by Sextus Empiricus-Critias
"As Reported by Sextus Empiricus-Critias" refers to a significant historical fragment documenting early Greek philosophical thought, specifically attributed to Critias through the writings of the Pyrrhonian skeptic philosopher Sextus Empiricus (c. 160-210 CE). The text represents a crucial transmission point for understanding ancient Greek skeptical and sophistic thought, particularly regarding religious and social institutions.
The fragment gained prominence through Sextus Empiricus's work "Against the Mathematicians," where he preserves Critias's (c. 460-403 BCE) controversial views on the human origin of religious belief. The historical context is particularly fascinating, emerging during the tumultuous period of Athens' Golden Age and subsequent decline, when philosophical inquiry into traditional beliefs reached unprecedented levels of sophistication and daring.
The text's significance lies in its radical proposition that religion was a human invention created by wise lawmakers to ensure social order - a remarkably modern perspective for its time. Critias, better known as one of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens and Plato's relative, presents this view through a character in what may have been a dramatic work, adding layers of interpretative complexity to the fragment's meaning and intent.
The document's influence extends far beyond its original context, serving as a touchstone for later philosophical discussions on the sociology of religion, political theory, and the relationship between belief systems and social control. Modern scholars continue to debate its implications, particularly in light of contemporary discussions about secularism and the social function of religious institutions. The text's preservation through Sextus Empiricus's skeptical lens adds another fascinating dimension, raising questions about how ancient philosophical ideas were transmitted and transformed through successive generations of thinkers.
This fragmentary text remains a compelling testament to the sophistication of ancient Greek thought and continues to provoke discussion about the intersection of religion, politics, and social order - themes that resonate powerfully in today's world. What might Critias and Sextus Empiricus make of modern debates about secularism and religious authority?