Philosophical question for today: Skepticism
|
|
Gordon Wendt
404 - User not found
Join date: 10 May 2006
Posts: 1,024
|
07-13-2009 15:51
The philosophical question for today: What is a skeptic, how does skepticism effect real life, can you be skeptical of an idea without being skeptical/critical of the person who puts forth that idea or just any other thoughts you may have on the topic. From: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/skeptic
skep⋅tic
/ˈskɛptɪk/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [skep-tik] Show IPA
Use skeptic in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.
2. a person who maintains a doubting attitude, as toward values, plans, statements, or the character of others.
3. a person who doubts the truth of a religion, esp. Christianity, or of important elements of it.
4. (initial capital letter) Philosophy.
a. a member of a philosophical school of ancient Greece, the earliest group of which consisted of Pyrrho and his followers, who maintained that real knowledge of things is impossible.
b. any later thinker who doubts or questions the possibility of real knowledge of any kind.
–adjective
5. pertaining to skeptics or skepticism; skeptical.
6. (initial capital letter) pertaining to the Skeptics.
Also, sceptic.
Origin:
1565–75; < LL scepticus thoughtful, inquiring (in pl. Scepticī the Skeptics) < Gk skeptikós, equiv. to sképt(esthai) to consider, examine (akin to skopeîn to look; see -scope ) + -ikos -ic
Synonyms:
3. doubter. See atheist.
Antonyms:
3. believer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To skeptic
skep·tic also scep·tic (skěp'tĭk)
n.
1. One who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted conclusions.
2. One inclined to skepticism in religious matters.
3. Philosophy
1. often Skeptic An adherent of a school of skepticism.
2. Skeptic A member of an ancient Greek school of skepticism, especially that of Pyrrho of Elis (360?-272? B.C.).
[Latin Scepticus, disciple of Pyrrho of Elis, from Greek Skeptikos, from skeptesthai, to examine; see spek- in Indo-European roots.]
_____________________
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GWendt Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/GordonWendt GW Designs: XStreetSL
|
|
Chris Norse
Loud Arrogant Redneck
Join date: 1 Oct 2006
Posts: 5,735
|
07-13-2009 15:59
I much prefer to be cynical.
_____________________
I'm going to pick a fight
William Wallace, Braveheart
“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind”
Douglas MacArthur
FULL
|
|
Eva Ryan
That's Eva Ryan™
Join date: 26 Aug 2006
Posts: 197
|
07-13-2009 15:59
It's not Friday, yet. Don't believe me? Check your calendar.
|
|
Ciaran Laval
Mostly Harmless
Join date: 11 Mar 2007
Posts: 7,951
|
07-13-2009 16:06
You mean scepticism  The term tends to be used in an extreme or negative fashion, but just like criticism it can be far from negative, it's healthy for people to be sceptical, theories should be challenged. |
|
Gordon Wendt
404 - User not found
Join date: 10 May 2006
Posts: 1,024
|
07-13-2009 16:13
From: Eva Ryan It's not Friday, yet. Don't believe me? Check your calendar. Calendars are a lie that we perpetrate on ourselves and thus is perpetrated upon us 
_____________________
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GWendt Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/GordonWendt GW Designs: XStreetSL
|
|
Rhonda Huntress
Kitteh Herder
Join date: 21 Dec 2008
Posts: 1,823
|
07-13-2009 16:19
|
|
Darien Caldwell
Registered User
Join date: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 3,127
|
07-13-2009 16:35
Skepticism is healthy, when confronted with something that goes against your own experience, or what you have learned from people who you regard as knowledgable. Usually the skepticism will persist until a resonable arugment or the 'proof' of fable is obtained. I think you can be skeptical of an idea, or a person, or both, but they don't necessarily have to be tied. After all, nobody is perfect and even the most knowledgable person can be mistaken. I really don't think skepticism about a person comes into play until you reach a point where someone seems to keep pushing a concept or idea that has either been disproven, or which seems to benefit them personally rather than simply for the purpose of education. Not really sure where this thread is going. |
|
Imnotgoing Sideways
Can't outlaw cute! =^-^=
Join date: 17 Nov 2007
Posts: 4,694
|
07-13-2009 17:42
None of this matters after a few huffs of some good glue. =^-^=
|
|
Anti Antonelli
Deranged Toymaker
Join date: 25 Apr 2006
Posts: 1,091
|
07-13-2009 19:30
I'm a big believer in skepticism as a sort of "generalized agnosticism" (not about religion) - not so much tending to disbelieve things as understanding that we can't possibly be certain what is true 100% of the time, so always remaining open to alternatives. Much of what we think we know is merely what we perceive, and much of what we are told is "fact" is merely useful and convenient models that help us make sense of things, until a more useful model comes along.
_____________________
Designer of sensual, tasteful couple's animations - for residents who take their leisure time seriously.  http://slurl.com/secondlife/Brownlee/203/110/109/ 
|
|
Weston Graves
Werebeagle
Join date: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 2,059
|
07-13-2009 19:32
I'm skeptical of all humans. They talk to dogs in baby talk. How weird is that?
_____________________
Goodbye for now from human Weston, beagle Weston, and Keyboard Guy. Best of both lives to you all. 
|
|
Gordon Wendt
404 - User not found
Join date: 10 May 2006
Posts: 1,024
|
07-13-2009 21:06
From: Anti Antonelli I'm a big believer in skepticism as a sort of "generalized agnosticism" (not about religion) - not so much tending to disbelieve things as understanding that we can't possibly be certain what is true 100% of the time, so always remaining open to alternatives. Much of what we think we know is merely what we perceive, and much of what we are told is "fact" is merely useful and convenient models that help us make sense of things, until a more useful model comes along. I can fall behind that line of fault, of course if you go from agnosticism to atheism then you risk being a nihilist and you couldn't believe in anything even believing in not believing in anything.
_____________________
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GWendt Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/GordonWendt GW Designs: XStreetSL
|
|
Virrginia Tombola
Equestrienne
Join date: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 938
|
07-13-2009 21:16
From: Weston Graves I'm skeptical of all humans. They talk to dogs in baby talk. How weird is that? Aw...who's a fuzzy wuzzy cute-ums puppiez? You're a cute-ums puppy! Yes, you are! Yes, you are! Good boy, cooooome here .....AAAH! Not on the carpet!
_____________________
 Horses, Carriages, Modern and Historical Riding apparel. Ride a demo horse, play whist, or just loiter. I'm fair used to loiterers. http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Eyre/48%20/183/23/
|
|
Darius Lehane
Registered User
Join date: 18 Apr 2005
Posts: 180
|
07-13-2009 22:13
Skepticism is the key to the scientific method -- science is not about proof, it is about attempting disproof. This is not cynical, this is what science is. If you can't design an experiment that would disprove a theory if the experiment failed, it is not a valid theory. Being skeptical is a key to an enlightened, healthy mind.
|
|
Void Singer
Int vSelf = Sing(void);
Join date: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 6,973
|
07-13-2009 22:37
_____________________
| | . "Cat-Like Typing Detected" | . This post may contain errors in logic, spelling, and | . grammar known to the SL populace to cause confusion | | - Please Use PHP tags when posting scripts/code, Thanks. | - Can't See PHP or URL Tags Correctly? Check Out This Link... | - 
|
|
23rdDjin Negulesco
Unfinished Build Master
Join date: 30 May 2007
Posts: 661
|
07-13-2009 22:47
i don't think the OP's definition quote is true...
_____________________
"What am I in the eyes of most people--a nonentity, an eccentric, or an unpleasant person--somebody who has no position in society and will never have; in short, the lowest of the low. All right, then--even if that were absolutely true, then I should one day like to show by my work what such an eccentric, such a nobody, has in his heart." -Vincent van Gogh
|
|
Snickers Snook
Odd Princess - Trout 7.3
Join date: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 746
|
07-14-2009 00:43
You should always use an antiskeptic if you get cut by Occam's Razor.
_____________________
 Buh-bye forums, it's been good ta know ya.
|
|
Deira Llanfair
Deira to rhyme with Myra
Join date: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 2,315
|
07-14-2009 03:57
From: Weston Graves I'm skeptical of all humans. They talk to dogs in baby talk. How weird is that? That's because my dog thinks I'm her mummy and I am unable to disabuse her of this notion - and would also be unwilling to, if I could. That would be cruel!
_____________________
Deira Must create animations for head-desk and palm-face!.
|
|
Deira Llanfair
Deira to rhyme with Myra
Join date: 16 Oct 2006
Posts: 2,315
|
07-14-2009 04:00
From: 23rdDjin Negulesco i don't think the OP's definition quote is true... Yeah, I'm very sceptical about skepticism.
_____________________
Deira Must create animations for head-desk and palm-face!.
|
|
Clarissa Lowell
Gone. G'bye.
Join date: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 3,020
|
07-14-2009 04:07
From: Snickers Snook You should always use an antiskeptic if you get cut by Occam's Razor. That's some very astringent humor, Ms. Snook. |
|
Pserendipity Daniels
Assume sarcasm as default
Join date: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 8,839
|
07-14-2009 04:36
From: Gordon Wendt The philosophical question for today: What is a skeptic A wimpy politically correct inadequately informed realist. From: Gordon Wendt how does skepticism effect real life It doesn't effect it, it affects it. From: Gordon Wendt can you be skeptical of an idea without being skeptical/critical of the person who puts forth that idea Only if you don't know the person behind the idea, which forces you to consider the idea as it is expressed. From: Gordon Wendt or just any other thoughts you may have on the topic. Any other thoughts? The two reasons for not being sceptical are: 1. You *KNOW* the truth already. 2. You are too stupid to worry. Pep (Hardly ever sceptical.)
_____________________
Hypocrite lecteur, — mon semblable, — mon frère!
|
|
Chris Norse
Loud Arrogant Redneck
Join date: 1 Oct 2006
Posts: 5,735
|
07-14-2009 06:20
So I was right, global climate change caused by human activity is a religion.
_____________________
I'm going to pick a fight
William Wallace, Braveheart
“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind”
Douglas MacArthur
FULL
|
|
Gordon Wendt
404 - User not found
Join date: 10 May 2006
Posts: 1,024
|
07-14-2009 18:02
There is no faith, there is no science, there is only pie and it is good.
_____________________
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GWendt Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/GordonWendt GW Designs: XStreetSL
|
|
Ricardo Harris
Registered User
Join date: 1 Apr 2006
Posts: 1,944
|
07-14-2009 18:54
From: Gordon Wendt The philosophical question for today: What is a skeptic, how does skepticism effect real life, can you be skeptical of an idea without being skeptical/critical of the person who puts forth that idea or just any other thoughts you may have on the topic. You would think you'd know the answer by now being you also posted it. |
|
Void Singer
Int vSelf = Sing(void);
Join date: 24 Sep 2005
Posts: 6,973
|
07-14-2009 19:44
From: Chris Norse So I was right, global "warming" caused by human activity is a religion. fixed, because they are actually different things (and the original is simply evidenced by China's mass forestry project which directly affected weather patterns for a good portion of the globe)
_____________________
| | . "Cat-Like Typing Detected" | . This post may contain errors in logic, spelling, and | . grammar known to the SL populace to cause confusion | | - Please Use PHP tags when posting scripts/code, Thanks. | - Can't See PHP or URL Tags Correctly? Check Out This Link... | -
|
|
Gordon Wendt
404 - User not found
Join date: 10 May 2006
Posts: 1,024
|
07-14-2009 19:52
From: Ricardo Harris You would think you'd know the answer by now being you also posted it. Depending on how you decide to read the question every single one of the questions I asked is open to interpretation so it doesn't matter what I think the answer is, I know what I think the answer is. I'm interested in what other people see the answer as.
_____________________
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GWendt Plurk: http://www.plurk.com/GordonWendt GW Designs: XStreetSL
|
