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

Skepticism, a foundational tradition in Western philosophy from Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-270 BCE) to David Hume (1711-1776), centers on the limits of human knowledge and the value of doubt as a path to intellectual humility and tranquility. Core ideas include epoché (suspension of judgment) to avoid dogmatism, the equipollence of opposing arguments (equal plausibility of claims), and radical doubt of sensory or rational certainty—Hume’s empiricism, for instance, questions causation as mere habit, urging suspension amid uncertainty. Skeptics like Sextus Empiricus in Outlines of Pyrrhonism advocate living by appearances (phainomena) without assent, critiquing unexamined authority as the root of error. 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 the skeptical lens, exemplifies dogmatic overreach: the judiciary’s unexamined “certainty” of “disruption” invites epoché, as evidentiary voids and contradictions equipollize guilt and innocence, exposing authority’s fragile illusions.

1. Epoché and Suspension of Judgment: The Verdict’s Dogmatic Certitude as Skeptical Folly

Pyrrhonian skepticism prescribes epoché—withholding assent amid undecidable claims—to attain ataraxia (tranquility), rejecting hasty dogmas that breed anxiety.

The sentence dogmatically asserts “knowingly false disruption” without suspension: presuming “high education implies discernment” certifies malice in Chen’s forwards (e.g., Hayek critiques or the “Trump-kneeling Xi” cartoon), ignoring undecidables like unverified posts (prosecutor’s admission) or zero causal chaos (<100 retweets). This folly invites epoché: the closed-door trial withholds judgment’s space, as Chen’s prison letter—suspending “rumor” via taxonomy (art/emotion/reason/fact) and avalanche theory—demonstrates skeptical tranquility. Skeptics would decry the rush: unsuspended “order” sows discord, as Sextus warned, “Dogma leads to disturbance”—the non-oral appeal’s fiat amplifies anxiety, not resolution, fracturing intellectual peace.

2. Equipollence of Opposing Arguments: Evidentiary Voids as Equal Plausibility of Guilt and Innocence

Skepticism’s equipollence holds that for every argument, a counterweight exists of equal force, necessitating suspension over resolution.

The “evidence chain” equipollizes: claims of “disruption” (e.g., “intent” from education) match counterarguments like non-causality (no societal ripple) or non-falsifiability (artistic forwards as non-literal). The prosecutor’s unverified confession balances the scale—guilt’s force equals innocence’s—yet the verdict tips arbitrarily, flouting equipollence. Chen’s letter exemplifies skeptical balance: avalanche theory counters linear “chaos,” taxonomy weighs “rumor” against inquiry. Academic skeptics like Hume would see causal illusion: “order” as habitual projection, not fact. Selective enforcement (millions unpunished) further equalizes: the argument’s plausibility dissolves in contradiction, demanding suspension—the trial’s opacity denies this, breeding dogmatic unrest.

3. Living by Appearances and Critique of Authority: Suppressed Inquiry as Illusion of Certainty

Sextus’s Outlines urges living by phainomena (appearances) without dogmatic assent, critiquing authority’s unexamined certainties as the source of error.

The case clings to illusory certainty: “picking quarrels” appears as threat, yet phainomena—evidentiary gaps, prosecutorial doubt—reveal mere shadow. The “shut up” directive censors appearance-based living: Chen’s taxonomy humbly follows phenomena (non-disruptive patterns), yet authority dogmatizes. Humean skepticism unmasks causation’s habit: “disorder” as projected fear, not fact. The non-oral appeal enforces illusion: unexamined power as truth, inverting skeptical critique—authority’s error breeds societal skepticism, as the dormant account’s silence appears as quiet resistance.

Conclusion: The Skeptical Lens on the Case—Dogma’s Fragile Illusion Amid Equipollent Doubt

From skeptical philosophy, the Chen Jingyuan case is dogma’s quaking edifice: unsuspended certitude invites epoché, equipollent voids equalize claims, and illusory authority crumbles under phenomena. As of October 23, 2025, no retrial or exoneration has occurred; Chen’s account remains dormant, its silence a skeptical suspension. This case cautions: certainty without doubt disturbs tranquility. As Sextus counseled, “Suspend, and peace follows”—may the judiciary heed the balance.