Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements

Introduction: Nothing For Us?
1. Protagoras’ Secret Doctrine: An Exercise in Ancient Eliminativism
2. Twins and Dharmas. Protagoras and Vasubandhu on a Two-Tier Ontology of Tropes
3. Gorgias and Nagarjuna on Nihilism
4. On Things. The Origin and Genealogy of Pyrrho’s Metaphysics
5. The Cyrenaics on Elusive Objects
6. The Cyrenaics on Solipsism and Privacy
Conclusion: Eliminativism, Indeterminacy and Nihilism Between East and West

Notes
References
Index

Promotional Information

Puts ancient and contemporary metaphysics into dialogue to explore eliminativism.

About the Author

Ugo Zilioli is Leverhulme Researcher at the Faculty of Theology and Religion at Oxford University and Associate Member of Lady Margaret Hall, UK.His main publications include: The Cyrenaics (2014), Protagoras and the Challenge of Relativism(2016); as editor, From the Socratics to the Socratic Schools (2015); Atomism in Philosophy: A History from Antiquity to the Present (Bloomsbury, 2020).

Reviews

This book presents an astute comparison between philosophers in ancient Greece and India who, for some reason or another, set out to eliminate material objects from their theories. The highly original, historically rich, and analytically sophisticated discussion presented here will be of great interest to any reader wishing to learn more about fundamental questions of metaphysics, East and West.
*Jan Westerhoff, Professor of Buddhist Philosophy, Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, UK*

Zilioli's groundbreaking book explores the origins of ontology based on doubts about material reality. A captivating dialogue with Eastern tradition adds unique depth. A must-read for those seeking intellectual stimulation, a fresh perspective on existence, and a philosophical adventure that is not to be missed!
*Claudia Marsico, Professor of Philosophy, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina*

Ugo Zilioli's new book, Eliminativism in Ancient Philosophy, is a captivating journey through ancient Greek and Buddhist philosophy. With a keen focus on key thinkers like Protagoras, Gorgias, and Pyrrho, Zilioli skillfully navigates well-explored territories while shedding light on lesser-known metaphysics. The intriguing parallels drawn between Greek and Buddhist thought, particularly through Vasubandhu and Nagarjuna, offer new perspectives on the philosophical status of material objects.
*Joachim Aufderheide, Reader in Philosophy, King’s College London, UK*