Freethought & Rationalism Archive

mouse. · 06-09-2003, 05:58 AM

It appears to me that if you mention the word Skepticism it strikes fear into many. . . why?

What is a skeptic and why is it such a shh!!! taboo word?

Is their some on going secret conspiracy that panics if somebody turns round and ask a question. Are we expected to just believe everything that comes our way, is it this strange deal lurking in somebodies filing cabinet that make the word skepticism and skeptic such a dirty word?

So what is a skeptic and what makes a skeptic tick?

mouse.

Godot · 06-09-2003, 06:32 AM

I'm not sure what a skeptic is. Do they even exist? I'm not so sure of that.

Wounded King · 06-09-2003, 07:06 AM

I think people dont like skeptics because they confuse them with cynics, then again why do people not like cynics?

BioBeing · 06-09-2003, 07:25 AM

Skeptic.

I do not believe in something until I have sufficient evidence to suggest it is possible. My default position is thus to not believe. I think a skeptic is (should be) open to new evidence that might contradict one of their (lack of) beliefs. A cynic is merely against an idea, no matter what.

Tell me that unicorns exist and I will not believe you. Show me that unicorns exist, and I will believe in unicorns. But I will still be skeptical of leprechauns.

It strikes fear into people because you make them justify themselves. Someone says to you "Lets assume..." and you say "Hang on! Why should we assume that?".

Marduk · 06-09-2003, 09:11 AM

OK fess up, whose the other crashed alien?

Corwin · 06-09-2003, 10:09 AM

'Skeptic' is a word a lot of people avoid because of the skeptics' community. Like it or not, there is a core of 'skeptics' that are as rabid as any religious fundamentalist. Their entire attitude and rejection of anything that doesn't fit their mindset (especially while claiming to be 'openminded') turns a lot of people off.

Friar Bellows · 06-09-2003, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Corwin
'Skeptic' is a word a lot of people avoid because of the skeptics' community. Like it or not, there is a core of 'skeptics' that are as rabid as any religious fundamentalist. Their entire attitude and rejection of anything that doesn't fit their mindset (especially while claiming to be 'openminded') turns a lot of people off.

I've never encountered a skeptic who is "as rabid as any religious fundamentalist". Can you point me to some examples?

Normal · 06-09-2003, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Friar Bellows
I've never encountered a skeptic who is "as rabid as any religious fundamentalist". Can you point me to some examples?

I'm a rabid skeptic, no doubt about it. I question every belief.

TomboyMom · 06-09-2003, 12:46 PM

Here's a definition from Skeptic Magazine:
Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of science to any and all ideas-no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claimant might be right. When we say we are "skeptical" we mean that we must see evidence before we believe.

Mageth · 06-09-2003, 01:02 PM

I agree with that, TomboyMom. I practice or use skepticism; I don't call myself a skeptic, but I do refer to myself as skeptical, or perhaps as a practicer of the skeptical method.

Would skepticist be a good term (aka "scientist") to describe this position?

View Poll Results: Are you a. . . ?
Skeptic	60	86.96%
Believer.	0	0%
Other please explain?	3	4.35%
Crashed alien.	6	8.70%
Voters: 69. You may not vote on this poll

06-09-2003, 05:58 AM	#1
mouse. Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: USA Posts: 36	What is a skeptic? It appears to me that if you mention the word Skepticism it strikes fear into many. . . why? What is a skeptic and why is it such a shh!!! taboo word? Is their some on going secret conspiracy that panics if somebody turns round and ask a question. Are we expected to just believe everything that comes our way, is it this strange deal lurking in somebodies filing cabinet that make the word skepticism and skeptic such a dirty word? So what is a skeptic and what makes a skeptic tick? mouse.

06-09-2003, 12:46 PM	#9
TomboyMom Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 10,931	one definition Here's a definition from Skeptic Magazine: Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of science to any and all ideas-no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claimant might be right. When we say we are "skeptical" we mean that we must see evidence before we believe.

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06-09-2003, 06:32 AM	#2
Godot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Calgary Posts: 1,335	I'm not sure what a skeptic is. Do they even exist? I'm not so sure of that.

06-09-2003, 07:06 AM	#3
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	I think people dont like skeptics because they confuse them with cynics, then again why do people not like cynics?

06-09-2003, 07:25 AM	#4
BioBeing Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 6,004	Skeptic. I do not believe in something until I have sufficient evidence to suggest it is possible. My default position is thus to not believe. I think a skeptic is (should be) open to new evidence that might contradict one of their (lack of) beliefs. A cynic is merely against an idea, no matter what. Tell me that unicorns exist and I will not believe you. Show me that unicorns exist, and I will believe in unicorns. But I will still be skeptical of leprechauns. It strikes fear into people because you make them justify themselves. Someone says to you "Lets assume..." and you say "Hang on! Why should we assume that?".

06-09-2003, 09:11 AM	#5
Marduk Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: the 10th planet Posts: 5,065	OK fess up, whose the other crashed alien?

06-09-2003, 10:09 AM	#6
Corwin Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 4,369	'Skeptic' is a word a lot of people avoid because of the skeptics' community. Like it or not, there is a core of 'skeptics' that are as rabid as any religious fundamentalist. Their entire attitude and rejection of anything that doesn't fit their mindset (especially while claiming to be 'openminded') turns a lot of people off.

06-09-2003, 01:02 PM	#10
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	I agree with that, TomboyMom. I practice or use skepticism; I don't call myself a skeptic, but I do refer to myself as skeptical, or perhaps as a practicer of the skeptical method. Would skepticist be a good term (aka "scientist") to describe this position?

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