On the opening page of the splendid little book, To Know a Fly, biologist Vincent Dethier makes this humorous observation of how children grow up to become scientists:
Although small children have taboos against stepping on ants because such actions are said to bring on rain, there has never seemed to be a taboo against pulling off the legs or wings of flies. Most children eventually outgrow this behavior. Those who do not either come to a bad end or become biologists (1962, p. 2).
The same could be said of skepticism. In their early years children are knowledge junkies, questioning everything in their view, though exhibiting little skepticism. Most never learn to distinguish between inquisitiveness and credulity. Those who do either come to a bad end or become professional skeptics.
But what does it mean to be skeptical? Skepticism has a long historical tradition dating back to ancient Greece when Socrates observed: “All I know is that I know nothing.” But this is not a practical position to take. Modern skepticism is embodied in the scientific method, that involves gathering data to formulate and test naturalistic explanations for natural phenomena. A claim becomes factual when it is confirmed to such an extent it would be reasonable to offer temporary agreement. But all facts in science are provisional and subject to challenge, and therefore skepticism is a method leading to provisional conclusions. Some claims, such as water dowsing, ESP, and creationism, have been tested (and failed the tests) often enough that we can provisionally conclude that they are false. Other claims, such as hypnosis and chaos theory, have been tested but results are inconclusive so we must continue formulating and testing hypotheses and theories until we can reach a provisional conclusion. The key to skepticism is to continuously and vigorously apply the methods of science to navigate the treacherous straits between “know nothing” skepticism and “anything goes” credulity. This manifesto — a statement of purpose of sorts — explores these themes further... Michael Shermer... Skeptic Magazine
I have often thought about the negative side of skepticism. I have also thought about the positive side and the good it can do to question the ideas people put before you. I have not thought about it recently though so it was a good reminding reading this post. It is good to remember to ask questions and to test the ideas given to you before you believe them.
ReplyDelete(H03)
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to have some skepticism in your life. If you believe in something wholeheartedly, you leave no room for growth. I don't think you can learn if you aren't willing to doubt what you know or believe.
(H1) I think that skepticism, in some moderate amounts, can be healthy. However, taking skepticism and making it a part of daily life, especially to an unhealthy extreme, can only lead to disaster in the end. However, using skepticism to research, ask questions, and test ideas before you commit to any beliefs can only be beneficial, as it avoids the trap of blind faith, particularly blind faith in an authority figure.
ReplyDelete(H01) I think that skepticism is important. There are countless ideas that were at once accepted to be fact that were later proven to be false (remember how we were once told that blood was blue when it was in our veins). However, I think it is just as important to be able to differentiate between being skeptical of something and refusing to accept what has been proven time and time again to be true.
ReplyDeleteH1
ReplyDeleteSkepticism is beneficial in certain amounts. If we think of Aristotle and the truth of authority, we are now aware that a piece of wood and heavy metal fall at the same speed. It took many centuries to figure it out, as everyone trusted Aristotle's opinion. No one was skeptical of it, because he was an authority figure they trusted.
H3
ReplyDeleteMy personal philosophy was once entirely informed by skepticism and it all led to constant uncertainty rather than discovery. I try to utilize it moderately.