The Lost Art of Skepticism

[Rasta_Man]

Education has failed in a very serious way to convey the most important lesson science can teach: skepticism

- David Suzuki

Discuss, if you will.

I think that skepticism, and intellectually honest critical thought is horrendously vacant from the average human and totally absent from western media and even western education.

[geologyrox]

I would perhaps even go so far as to say that the skills required for skepticism, such as reasoning and intellectual curiosity, are nearly absent from western popular culture.

[Rasta_Man]

I would concur with you

[Smigs]

I believe the government has instilled so much fear into us, that america no longer questions authority, or really anything in general, but rater except it.

Mother Should I Trust the Government ? -Pink Floyd

[Medicine Al]

Skeptics are like the grain of sand that enters an oyster. The oyster gets irritated as hell by the sand, then realizes its made a pearl to defend itself against the invader. The result of skepticism is usually the purification of the thought in question, or the start of its undoing.

I don't think it's a lost art, look at all the skeptics around here! Maybe I'm just being skeptical...

[Rasta_Man]

Originally Posted by Medicine Al

Skeptics are like the grain of sand that enters an oyster. The oyster gets irritated as hell by the sand, then realizes its made a pearl to defend itself against the invader. The result of skepticism is usually the purification of the thought in question, or the start of its undoing.

I don't think it's a lost art, look at all the skeptics around here! Maybe I'm just being skeptical...

Look at all the non-skeptics and 'believers' around here.

I thoroughly enjoyed your analogy, though, thankyou for that contribution

[Maitereya]

if people are cozy with their tv and bank account why would they become skeptical of anything? people like to live from satisfaction to satisfaction, ignoring reality, covering up insecurities and believing whatever is thrown at them.

i would like to revise that quote to "Education has failed in a very serious way"

[Digit]

i was once complimented here in grasscity that mine "is a most powerful combination of tollerence and skepticism".

i'm drawn to skeptics though. nearly all my friends have to some degree a strong questioning streak. and its great, i love it. though i often wonder what it would be like to live in a world where skepticism was unecessary, y'know, where no one had ever lied, where there was no reflection of lies to the people who had lied, and all could be trusted. wouldnt that be nice? how do we get outta this hole then?

well, we keep standing at the foundations, shaking them as much as possible, if the structure fails, it wasn't true. rock the boat, baby.


where's that aristotle quote when ya need it?
ah.... found it...
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -
Aristotle

[AndyPL]

Personaly I think that skepticism is a good thing, until so-called "skeptics" give themselves the authority to judge and dismiss ideas instead of simply questioning them in a detached and objective way.

[CH3VELLE]

personally, without applying a healthy dose of skepticism myself, i honestly dont think i would feel so strongly about my beliefs, specifically regarding spirituality. as a matter of fact, i think that without being constantly skeptical, being faithful wouldnt even be possible.

for example, the Word of God is in almost complete contradiction to the world. it requires oneself to constantly question how the teachings and practices of the world relate to those of the Bible. therefore, skepticism is my friend, and helps make contrast possible. it allows me to distinguish the light from the dark.

...i guess you could say that im a full-time skeptic.

[killa_clam]

Yeah I'm being more of a skeptic now(way to go (R_M),next thing you know I'm going to turn athiest,which is happening now as we speak....

Skepticsm=Common sense

thats my 2 cents,also dont forget the questioning of everything around you......

Skeptism Rocks

But dont think you won yet,I still strongly believe in the Spirit/Underworld....That will never stop......(don't forget aliens)

[MelT]

Good thread. Be skeptical of everything and everyone.

MelT

[Rasta_Man]

Wow, I hear a lot of "Yes, I am a skeptic, but...." which is totally hypocritical and obviously not true. With some of the beleifs floating around here, obviously the onus of evidence and demand of logical consistency is totally absent.

Let us clarify the skepticism I am talking about.


Definition:

Originally Posted by wikipedia

Scientific skepticism or rational skepticism (British English spelling: scepticism), sometimes referred to as skeptical inquiry, is a scientific or practical, epistemological position in which one questions the veracity of claims lacking empirical evidence. In practice, the term is most commonly applied to the examination of claims and theories which appear to be beyond mainstream science, rather than to the routine discussions and challenges among scientists. Scientific skepticism is different from philosophical skepticism, which questions our right to claim knowledge about the nature of the world and how we perceive it. Scientific skepticism utilizes critical thinking and attempts to oppose claims made which lack suitable evidential basis. The New Skepticism described by Paul Kurtz is scientific skepticism

Like a scientist, a scientific skeptic attempts to evaluate claims based on verifiability and falsifiability rather than accepting claims on faith, anecdotes, or relying on unfalsifiable categories. Skeptics often focus their criticism on claims they consider to be implausible, dubious or clearly contradictory to generally accepted Like a scientist, a scientific skeptic attempts to evaluate claims based on verifiability and falsifiability rather than accepting claims on faith, anecdotes, or relying on unfalsifiablescience.

[Mr.GoodStuff]

philosophical skepticism, which questions our right to claim knowledge about the nature of the world and how we perceive it.

If you would have expressed the variable properly the misunderstanding would not have happened.

They are talking about philosophical skepticism, not scientific skepticism. Your position of claiming it's

totally hypocritical and obviously not true. With some of the beleifs floating around here, obviously the onus of evidence and demand of logical consistency is totally absent.

Does not take into account the lack of producing a thread with the proper definition of what you wanted to discuss in the OP.

They would be hypocritical and wrong if the OP was clear. However their takes are valid in a philosophical sense of skepticism, as you yourself cut and pasted about.

This makes it wrong to call them hypocrites and make it out like they should have known exactly what you were talking about. People are not mind readers.



Now as far as scientific skepticism like you have now cleared up for all of us as being the true topic of discussion here-

Logical consistancy can only take you so far until things start contradicting themselves. Evidence can only take you so far when you know it's an illusion. Deep down I know there is a reason I am the way I am and people are the way they are. I just don't want to compare us in a way that makes someone out to be better than another.

We all have a point to make.

[Rasta_Man]

Originally Posted by Mr.GoodStuff

If you would have expressed the variable properly the misunderstanding would not have happened.

They are talking about philosophical skepticism, not scientific skepticism. Your position of claiming it's

Does not take into account the lack of producing a thread with the proper definition of what you wanted to discuss in the OP.

They would be hypocritical and wrong if the OP was clear. However their takes are valid in a philosophical sense of skepticism, as you yourself cut and pasted about.

This makes it wrong to call them hypocrites and make it out like they should have known exactly what you were talking about. People are not mind readers.

Well if you actually read the original quote, it's pretty obvious that we're discussing scientific skepticism. Notably the bit about "the most important lesson science can teach".

You don't need to be a mind reader to get that bit of it, just thoughtful and reflective in response.

Logical consistancy can only take you so far until things start contradicting themselves.

I'm not quite sure what you're talking about. Logical consistency only helps us make sense of the evidence and information, it shouldn't innately lead to a contradiction, the contradiction arises from flawed logical and/or flawed and/or incomplete information.

Evidence can only take you so far when you know it's an illusion.

Evidence is an allusion? That is possibly the weirdest cop-out I've ever heard. If you're refering to reality as an illusion, then let us just keep in mind that an illusionary evidence can help us make correct inferences about our illusionary world. Kay?

Deep down I know there is a reason I am the way I am and people are the way they are.

I'm confused, that statement seems like a major non-sequitur to me. Either that or you're jumping to something wholly more specific and not stating it.

I just don't want to compare us in a way that makes someone out to be better than another.

Why not? The best way to improves one's reasoning, and critical thinking is to admit that it is flawed and in need of improvement.

Seriously, you would cackle if you heard some of the shit I used to believe in the past. The only way I overcame it, is I entertained the possibility I was wrong. Given that hypothetical concept, I applied various forms of logical, reason and critical thinking. In the end, I realized how erroneous, although deceptively incorrect my logic and reasoning had been.

A meritocracy brings about no thoughtful epiphanies of inquiry. It is innately corrosive concerning any kind of consensual truth.

We all have a point to make.

And my point is that many people simply lack either the ability or willingness to appropriately use adequate critical thinking skills.