ΕΠΟΧΗ ΣΚΕΠΤΙΚΗ (epoxh_skeptikh) — Lexarithmos 1406 · Etymology, Meanings

Definition

In ancient Greek philosophy, and specifically within Pyrrhonian Skepticism, "epochē skeptikē" refers to the suspension of judgment. This is not a denial of the possibility of knowledge, but rather an abstention from making definitive pronouncements about the nature of things, especially when evidence is equally balanced and contradictory. The Skeptic, confronted with two equally persuasive but opposing positions, chooses not to assent, maintaining a state of doubt.

This suspension is not an end in itself, but the means to achieve ataraxia (ἀταραξία), i.e., mental tranquility and serenity. Pyrrhonists believed that adherence to dogmatic opinions leads to intellectual disturbance and emotional agitation, whereas accepting the inability to make a definitive judgment liberates one from this anxiety.

The concept of epochē is distinct from ignorance or indifference. It demands a thorough examination of arguments (sképsis) and a conscious decision to abstain from judgment. It constitutes an active intellectual stance that recognizes the limits of human knowledge and the complexity of reality.

"Epochē skeptikē" is a complex philosophical tool that profoundly influenced subsequent philosophical thought, from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and contemporary epistemology, serving as a method of critical analysis and self-limitation of cognitive claims.

Etymology

epochē skeptikē ← epochē (from epí + échō) + skeptikē (from sképtomai)

The compound phrase 'epochē skeptikē' is formed from two Ancient Greek roots. The term 'epochē' derives from the preposition 'epí' (upon, over) and the verb 'échō' (to have, to hold), literally meaning 'to hold back' or 'to stop'. 'Skeptikē' is the feminine adjective of 'skeptikós', which is derived from the verb 'sképtomai' (to examine, observe, consider). Both roots are deeply embedded in the Ancient Greek lexicon, requiring no recourse to external linguistic origins.

From the root of 'échō' derive numerous words such as 'héxis' (habit, state), 'schésis' (relation), 'katéchō' (to hold fast). From the root of 'sképtomai' derive words like 'sképsis' (consideration, doubt), 'skeptikós' (examining, skeptical), 'skopós' (watcher, aim). The philosophical concept of 'krísis' (from the verb 'krínō', 'to distinguish, to judge') is conceptually related, as the skeptical stance leads to the suspension of judgment, though it does not share the same etymological root as 'sképtomai'.

Main Meanings

Suspension of Judgment (philosophical) — The core concept in Pyrrhonian Skepticism: the abstention from making definitive pronouncements about the truth of things.
Cessation, Stop — The general meaning of 'epochē' as a halt or interruption of a process or activity.
Period of Time — A secondary meaning of 'epochē' referring to a chronological period, derived from the idea of 'stopping' at a point in time.
Examination, Observation — The act of 'sképtomai' that leads to the suspension of judgment, i.e., the careful investigation of data.
Doubt, Questioning — The intellectual attitude characteristic of the skeptic, who does not readily accept dogmatic truths.
Equipollence of Arguments — The state where arguments for and against a proposition are equally strong, leading to the suspension of judgment (isosthéneia).
Ataraxia — The ultimate goal of skeptical suspension: the achievement of mental tranquility through the avoidance of dogmatic commitments.

Word Family

skep- (root of the verb sképtomai, meaning 'to examine, observe')

The root skep- originates from the Ancient Greek verb sképtomai, which initially meant 'to look around, to observe carefully'. From this primary meaning of visual examination, the root evolved to encompass intellectual examination, thought, investigation, and, eventually, doubt and a critical attitude. The family of words derived from this root reflects this progression from simple observation to thorough philosophical inquiry and the suspension of judgment.

σκέπτομαι verb · lex. 726

The foundational verb of the root, meaning 'to look around, observe, examine, think, ponder'. In Homer, it is used for visual observation, while later it acquires the intellectual meaning of examination and mental inquiry.

σκεπτικός adjective · lex. 905

One who examines, observes, thinks. In philosophy, 'skeptikós' is one who doubts, who does not easily decide, who suspends judgment. It is directly associated with the philosophical school of the Skeptics.

Σκεπτικοί οἱ · noun · lex. 715

The adherents of Skeptical philosophy, particularly Pyrrhonism. These are those who apply epochē skeptikē as a method to achieve ataraxia. Sextus Empiricus is their most significant representative.

σκέψις ἡ · noun · lex. 1135

The act of examining, observing, thinking, reasoning. In philosophy, 'sképsis' is the process of intellectual inquiry that precedes the suspension of judgment.

σκοπός ὁ · noun · lex. 660

Originally 'one who watches, a guard, a scout'. Later it means 'aim, purpose', as the goal is something one 'looks at' and moves towards. It retains the sense of visual focus.

ἐπισκέπτομαι verb · lex. 1021

Meaning 'to visit, inspect, look after'. The addition of the prefix 'epí' intensifies the sense of careful observation or visiting for the purpose of examination or care.

διάσκεψις ἡ · noun · lex. 1170

Discussion, deliberation, the examination of a topic jointly. The prefix 'diá' indicates examination 'through' or 'between' multiple viewpoints, often leading to suspension or a collective decision.

κατάσκοπος ὁ · noun · lex. 962

A spy, one who observes secretly or with the aim of discovering information. The prefix 'katá' here implies intensive or hostile observation, retaining the original meaning of 'to look'.

Philosophical Journey

The concept of 'epochē skeptikē' developed within the framework of ancient Greek philosophy, constituting a central doctrine of Skepticism.

5th-4th C. BCE

Pre-Socratics and Sophists

Precursors to skeptical thought emerge with the questioning of the possibility of knowledge (e.g., Gorgias) and the emphasis on subjectivity (e.g., Protagoras), laying the groundwork for the need for suspension of judgment.

c. 360-270 BCE

Pyrrho of Elis

The founder of Pyrrhonian Skepticism. He developed the idea of epochē as a means to achieve ataraxia, observing the equipollence of opposing arguments and the inability to make definitive decisions.

3rd-1st C. BCE

Academic Skepticism

Philosophers such as Arcesilaus and Carneades at Plato's Academy adopted a form of skepticism, arguing that nothing could be known with certainty and that epochē was the appropriate stance.

1st C. BCE - 2nd C. CE

Aenesidemus and the Revival of Pyrrhonism

Aenesidemus revived Pyrrhonism, formulating the Ten Tropes of epochē, systematizing the arguments that lead to the suspension of judgment.

2nd C. CE

Sextus Empiricus

The most important exponent of Pyrrhonism, whose works 'Outlines of Pyrrhonism' and 'Against the Mathematicians' are the primary sources for understanding epochē skeptikē and skeptical philosophy in general.

16th-18th C. CE

Influence on Modern Philosophy

The concept of epochē influenced philosophers such as Montaigne, Descartes (with his methodical doubt), and David Hume, who explored the limits of human knowledge and the importance of a critical attitude.

In Ancient Texts

Sextus Empiricus, as the main systematizer of Pyrrhonism, clearly describes the concept of epochē:

«Σκεπτικῆς δὲ ἀγωγῆς ἐστιν ἀρχὴ μὲν τὸ παντὶ λόγῳ λόγον ἴσον ἀντικεῖσθαι, ἀφ᾽ οὗ συμβαίνει ἡμᾶς πρῶτον μὲν εἰς ἐποχὴν ἐλθεῖν, ἔπειτα εἰς ἀταραξίαν.»

The main principle of the Skeptic way of life is that to every argument an equal argument is opposed, from which it happens that we first come to suspension of judgment, and then to tranquility.

Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism, Book I, Ch. 12

«Ἐποχή ἐστιν ἀκράτητος στάσις διανοίας, δι᾽ ἣν οὔτε ἀποφάσκειν οὔτε καταφάσκειν τι δυνάμεθα.»

Suspension of judgment is an unhindered state of mind, through which we are able neither to deny nor to affirm anything.

Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism, Book I, Ch. 10

Lexarithmic Analysis

The lexarithmos of the word ΕΠΟΧΗ ΣΚΕΠΤΙΚΗ is 1406, from the sum of its letter values:

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Π = 80

Pi

Ο = 70

Omicron

Χ = 600

Chi

Η = 8

Eta

= 0

Σ = 200

Sigma

Κ = 20

Kappa

Ε = 5

Epsilon

Π = 80

Pi

Τ = 300

Tau

Ι = 10

Iota

Κ = 20

Kappa

Η = 8

Eta

= 1406

Total

5 + 80 + 70 + 600 + 8 + 0 + 200 + 20 + 5 + 80 + 300 + 10 + 20 + 8 = 1406

1406 decomposes into 1400 (hundreds) + 6 (units).

The 18 Methods

Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΕΠΟΧΗ ΣΚΕΠΤΙΚΗ:

Method	Result	Meaning
Isopsephy	1406	Base lexarithmos
Decade Numerology	2	1+4+0+6 = 11 → 1+1 = 2. The number 2 symbolizes duality, the balance between opposing views, and the suspension that results from their equipollence.
Letter Count	14	The phrase "EPOCHĒ SKEPTIKĒ" consists of 13 letters. The number 13 is often associated with transformation and transcendence, in this case, the transcendence of dogmatic limitations.
Cumulative	6/0/1400	Units 6 · Tens 0 · Hundreds 1400
Odd/Even	Even	Feminine force
Left/Right Hand	Right	Divine (≥100)
Quotient	—	Comparative method
Notarikon	E-P-O-C-H-E S-K-E-P-T-I-K-E	Each letter contributes to the overall numerical and conceptual value of the phrase, underscoring the complexity of the concept of suspension of judgment.
Grammatical Groups	6V · 7C	The phrase contains 6 vowels and 7 consonants, a balanced structure that reflects the equipollence of arguments in skeptical thought.
Palindromes	No
Onomancy	—	Comparative
Sphere of Democritus	—	Divination with lunar day
Zodiacal Isopsephy	Saturn ♄ / Gemini ♊	1406 mod 7 = 6 · 1406 mod 12 = 2

Isopsephic Words (1406)

Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones lexicon with the same lexarithmos (1406) as "EPOCHĒ SKEPTIKĒ," but of different roots, offer interesting conceptual contrasts:

ἀποπτοέω

"To scare away, terrify." This concept stands in opposition to the ataraxia sought by epochē skeptikē. While one word expresses fear and agitation, the other leads to tranquility through suspension.

ἐπιτυχία

"Success, good fortune." Epochē skeptikē does not guarantee success in the worldly sense, but spiritual liberation from the anxiety of failure or success, by avoiding definitive judgments.

πολυμαθημοσύνη

"Much learning, erudition." Skeptics, though often learned (like Sextus), questioned the value of extensive learning as a means to achieve truth, arguing it could lead to more confusion than clarity.

ἰδιοσυστασία

"Peculiar constitution, temperament." Epochē skeptikē can be seen as a particular intellectual idiosyncrasy, a unique mental stance that differs from dogmatic approaches.

εὐσκίαστος

"Well-shaded, with good shade." This may allude to the ambiguity and lack of clarity that leads to epochē skeptikē, as things are not always clear-cut but 'shaded' by complexity.

The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 71 words with lexarithmos 1406. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.

Sources & Bibliography

Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon, 9th ed., Oxford University Press, 1940.
Sextus Empiricus — Outlines of Pyrrhonism, trans. R. G. Bury, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1933.
Sextus Empiricus — Against the Mathematicians, trans. R. G. Bury, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1935.
Diogenes Laertius — Lives of Eminent Philosophers, Book IX, Ch. 11 (Pyrrho), trans. R. D. Hicks, Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press, 1925.
Long, A. A., Sedley, D. N. — The Hellenistic Philosophers, Vol. 1 & 2, Cambridge University Press, 1987.
Annas, Julia — Sextus Empiricus: Outlines of Scepticism, Cambridge University Press, 2000.