Changes

In around 266 BCE, Arcesilaus became the Scholarch or head of the Academy.<ref>For more on Arcesilaus, see: Algra, Keimpe, ed. 2005. The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy. 1st pbk. ed. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press, pg. 324. </ref> He developed what became known as the Skeptical school of Platonism. This period saw influences by the Skeptics and Stoicson many philosophical ideas, although both of who were criticized by the Platonist skeptics. Skepticism saw that the universe was unknowable and it was folly to pursue it. Arcesilaus, on the other hand, taught that skepticism should be measured with degrees of probability. While it might be true that certain things are unknowable, one can pursue knowledge such that a degree of probability could be ascribed. This, therefore, makes the pursuit of knowledge worthwhile since it allows us to know more and some degree of knowledge about somethingany given topic, although we may not fully attained total knowledge about a topic. Having an agnostic attitude towards knowledge were central to the new philosophy.

In the era of the so-called "New Academy," the school continued to be dedicated to Platonic Skepticism. However, the philosopher Carneades took over at around 159 BCE.<ref>For more on Carneades' philosophies, see: Furley, David J., ed. 1999. From Aristotle to Augustine. Routledge History of Philosophy, v. 2. London ; New York: Routledge, pg. 271. </ref> Although he maintained the Skeptical philosophy, in that he asserted knowledge was not fully knowable, he asserted there are greater degrees of likelihood. He asserted that one has to live and to live means we need to have guiding principals. Those principals should be led by knowledge that is most likely to be true, even if we are never certain. Therefore, one should pursue knowledge so that we have the greatest amount of understanding of a subject's likelihood, even while we acknowledge that we cannot fully understand the topic and must have a degree of agnostic attitude. This philosophy was slightly more liberal than Arcesilaus' beliefs, in that it tried to ascribe more certainty in knowledge.

This The Skepticism philosophy continued to have a strong influence on the Platonic school until 90 BCE, when Antiochus of Ascalon began to lead the school.<ref>For more on Antiochus and his philosophies, see: Sedley, D. N., ed. 2012. The Philosophy of Antiochus. Cambridge ; New York: Cambridge University Press.</ref> By this point, the Stoic influences began to have more of an effect influence on the school. Antiochus' main belief was that the mind can distinguish truth from falsehood. He believe believed the grounds for knowledge, its moral and understanding, needs to be examined and seeking truth were critical and the essence of our being. In many respects, Antiochus believe believed he was reviving the Old Academy that had been established by Plato's initial ideas. Antiochus' thoughts become influential and he became one of Cicero's chief teachers and influences.