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An Evaluation of the Chen Jingyuan Case Based on Pyrrho’s Core Ideas in Skeptical Philosophy

Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-270 BCE), the founder of Pyrrhonism as preserved in Sextus Empiricus’s Outlines of Pyrrhonism, championed radical skepticism as a therapeutic path to ataraxia (tranquility). His core ideas include epoché (suspension of judgment) amid undecidable claims, the equipollence of opposing arguments to reveal uncertainty, and living by appearances (phainomena) without dogmatic assent to “truths” that breed anxiety. Pyrrho rejected absolute knowledge, viewing phenomena as relative and perceptions as subjective, critiquing dogmatic philosophies (Stoic, Epicurean) as unfounded prejudices. The Chen Jingyuan case—a doctoral scholar sentenced to 20 months for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” (PRC Criminal Law Article 293) over Twitter forwards—through Pyrrho’s lens, exemplifies dogmatic prejudice’s unrest: the judiciary’s unsuspended “certainty” of “disruption” flouts equipollence, disturbing tranquility and perpetuating skepticism’s critique of unexamined legal authority.

1. Epoché and Suspension of Judgment: The Verdict as Dogmatic Refusal to Withhold Assent

Pyrrho’s epoché prescribes suspending judgment on undecidable matters to escape the torment of false beliefs, achieving ataraxia through non-commitment.

The sentence dogmatically assents: presuming “high education implies discernment” certifies “malicious disruption” without suspension, despite undecidables like the prosecutor’s unverified posts and zero causal “disorder” (<100 retweets of Hayek critiques or the “Trump-kneeling Xi” cartoon). The closed-door trial enforces imbalance: Chen’s prison letter—equipoising through taxonomy (art/emotion/reason/fact) and avalanche theory—invites suspension, yet the “shut up” directive demands assent to fiat. Pyrrho would decry this as anti-therapeutic: unsuspended “order” breeds disturbance, as dogmatic belief (non-oral appeal’s closure) invites endless strife—selective enforcement (millions unpunished) equipoises guilt, demanding epoché the judiciary denies.

2. Equipollence of Opposing Arguments: Infinite Regress and Relativity Undermining “Intent”

Pyrrho’s Modes demonstrate undecidability: infinite regress (claims require endless proof), relativity (judgments depend on perspectives), and reciprocity (opposites balance).

“Intent” regresses infinitely: “disruption” depends on unverified posts (prosecutor’s admission loops justification), relativized by selective enforcement (Mode 2: harmless in millions, “malicious” for Chen). Reciprocity equipoises: “order” mirrors “disorder” in voids (zero ripple), as the “evidence chain” reciprocally undermines itself. The non-oral appeal begs regress: Chen’s taxonomy reciprocates claims, yet barred, exposing Mode’s force. Pyrrho would affirm undecidability: the 20-month penalty, unsuspended, disturbs ataraxia—skepticism demands balance, not fiat.

3. Living by Appearances and Tranquility: Coercive “Justice” as Illusion of Certainty

Pyrrho’s Pyrrhonism prescribes life by phainomena—practical guidance from appearances—critiquing dogmatism as error’s source.

The verdict dogmatizes illusions: “disruption” ignores appearances (zero ripple), prescribing coercive “cure” that poisons tranquility. The closed-door trial veils phenomena: Chen’s letter, therapeutically balancing appearances through flux theory, is silenced, as selective voids disturb practical life. Pyrrho would see this as skepticism’s foil: dogmatic assent breeds unrest—justice by appearances demands suspension, not force.

Conclusion: Pyrrho’s Lens on the Case—Dogmatic Assent in Equipollent Shadows

From Pyrrho of Elis’s foundational skepticism, the Chen Jingyuan case is dogmatic unrest: unsuspended certainty ignores equipollence, coercive “cures” poison tranquility. As of October 25, 2025, no retrial or exoneration has occurred; Chen’s account remains dormant, its quiet an epoché in the storm. This case cautions: assent without balance disturbs—suspend, and peace flows. As Pyrrho equipoised, “By suspension, the skeptic achieves ataraxia”—may justice yet withhold.