submit urlsubmit rss feedadd directoryphysician directoryDirectory of Mobile Health Sites

article

In ordinary usage, skepticism or scepticism (Greek: skeptomai, to look about, to consider) refers to

  1. an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object,
  2. the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain, or
  3. the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism that is characteristic of skeptics (Merriam–Webster).

In philosophy, skepticism refers more specifically to any one of several propositions. These include propositions about

  1. the limitations of knowledge,
  2. a method of obtaining knowledge through systematic doubt and continual testing,
  3. the arbitrariness, relativity, or subjectivity of moral values,
  4. a method of intellectual caution and suspended judgment,
  5. a lack of confidence in positive motives for human conduct or positive outcomes for human enterprises, that is, cynicism and pessimism (Keeton, 1962).

In classical philosophy, skepticism refers to the teachings and the traits of the Skeptikoi, a school of philosophers of whom it was said that they "asserted nothing but only opined" (Liddell and Scott). In this sense, philosophical skepticism, or pyrrhonism, is the philosophical position that one should avoid the postulation of final truths. Turned on itself, skepticism would deny that it is infallibly certain that skepticism is the only basic perspective.

More on [ Skepticism ]


directory of related categories

 
Skeptics RSS feed
Skeptics - Twitter Search

Cats with fraudulent diplomas: Skeptics who believe that a university is actually a diploma mill often prove th.. http://bit.ly/3Wcfqx
sprocketonline (Iain) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:53:37 -0000
Cats with fraudulent diplomas: Skeptics who believe that a university is actually a diploma mill often prove th.. http://bit.ly/3Wcfqx
@supersense - ... you can always suggest as compensation that you come to Sydney for 2010 Aust Skeptics convention in November? :D
podblack (Kylie Sturgess) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:14:41 -0000
@supersense - ... you can always suggest as compensation that you come to Sydney for 2010 Aust Skeptics convention in November? :D
Obama dismisses warming skeptics - Washington Times http://tinyurl.com/yhw2euk
sarahvzh8 (Sarah Rich) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:41:47 -0000
Obama dismisses warming skeptics - Washington Times http://tinyurl.com/yhw2euk
@justmario thanks! I want to do my research, I come across too many conservative Christians who are Obama skeptics-I always get attacked!
headstrongchica (Dei) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:22:46 -0000
@justmario thanks! I want to do my research, I come across too many conservative Christians who are Obama skeptics-I always get attacked!
Skeptical Inquiry Magazine asked me to write reviews for skeptics on their websites. It's now official, I'm writing reviews for them! WOOHOO
laraemeadows (laraemeadows) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:22:34 -0000
Skeptical Inquiry Magazine asked me to write reviews for skeptics on their websites. It's now official, I'm writing reviews for them! WOOHOO
Pelosi Aims to Squeeze Skeptics on Public Option With Cheaper Bill... http://tinyurl.com/yfjndve
terraiqfti (Terra Hopkins) Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:18:06 -0000
Pelosi Aims to Squeeze Skeptics on Public Option With Cheaper Bill... http://tinyurl.com/yfjndve

 
Subscribe to Skeptics RSS feed

directory of related sites

Aromatherapy Debunked and Defended - Anya McCoy looks at aromatherapy from both sides, and presents information and warnings about the con artists of the aromatherapy business.

Aromatherapy: Making Dollars out of Scents - Stephen Barrett, M.D. on some of the dubious claims by companies in the aromatherapy business.

Scents and Nonsense: Does Aromatherapy Stink? - Article on aromatherapy from Priorities, a publication of the American Council on Science and Health.

Skeptic's Dictionary - Aromatherapy - An article by Robert Todd Carroll highlights that many claims of efficacy are testimonials and anecdotal in nature.
Meta Description: [ over 400 skeptical definitions and essays   on occult, paranormal,supernatural and pseudoscientific ideas and practices with references to the best skeptical literature ]

What's That I Smell? - Examination of the claims of aromatherapy, published by the Skeptical Inquirer.
Meta Description: [ A small dose of aromatic oil may make for a pleasant experience, but the claims of aromatherapy go way beyond that. ]

Skeptics related videos
Bill Nye on Astrology
Next Video
Skeptics related videos

 

HOMEADVERTISINGABOUT US

articlesartsbusinesscomputersgameshealthhospitalshomekids & teensnewsmobilephysiciansrecreationreferenceregionalscienceshoppingsocietysportsworld


Submit a Site About Become an Editor