Skepticism: Difference between revisions

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imported>Thomas Butler
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Skepticism is a philosophical point of view. A skeptic is one who is expressing skepticism. A common phrase is "healthy skepticism." By that, it is intended that a person does not accept all or part of a premise without further inquiry. The assumption is that the skeptical person will make the effort to become informed about the subject before deciding to accept or reject the idea.


 
Healthy skepticism becomes an obstacle to learning when a person rejects an ideas without becoming informed because it contradicts accepted wisdom. While skepticism is an important component in any quest for knowledge, a more useful point of view is discernment.
<nowiki>{{Template:paranormal community index}}</nowiki>
 
Change this to Template:Paranormal community index, Template:Survival research index or Template:Transcommunication index as appropriate.


===Introduction===
===Introduction===
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===History===
===History===


<span style="color:#0000ff">Replace this text when text for the article is added</span> The subject is more than its history. This section should provide a sense of how and when it came about, but an exhaustive history should be reserved for another article.
The two major schools of skepticism in Greek philosophy are the Academic and the Pyrrhonian.<ref name="Smith">Smith name, George H.. "A Note on the History and Meaning of Skepticism", Resources for Independent Thinking, http://www.rit.org/essays/history.php.</ref>
*Academic: Named after Plato's Academy, the The philosophy that nothing can be known for certain
*Pyrrhonian: Named after the Greek, Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-275 B.C), it is the point of view of suspended judgement. The Greek, Aenesidemus (c. 100-40 B.C.), formulated it into a philosophy and adopted the title of "skeptic" (from skeptikos, meaning "inquirer") and "doubters"; (from ephektikos, meaning "one who suspends judgment")<ref name="Smith" />


===Scope===
===Scope===
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===General===
===General===
Types of skepticism
organized skepticism


<span style="color:#0000ff">Replace this text when text for the article is added</span> The title of this section may need to be change to fit the subject. If this is a glossary, for instance, this would be where the terms are listed. For an organization, this is where the organization is discussed in some detail.
===Research===


<span style="color:#0000ff">Replace this text when text for the article is added</span> For an organization, has there been any formal studies conducted to determine the objectivity of the subject? Explain the point of view of the organization. For instance, is it mostly for human potential? The article, ''Point of View'', may help.
===Modern skepticism===


How is research funded? This section may be omitted for something like a glossary.
There needs to be an emphasis on skeptical objections about subjects that are not specifically addressed by mainstream science.


===End notes===
===End notes===
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<span style="color:#0000ff">Replace this text when text for the article is added</span> This is not a list of references (us them below). This is a place to include substantiating evidence not identified by the references. It is also a good place to include a bibliography.
<span style="color:#0000ff">Replace this text when text for the article is added</span> This is not a list of references (us them below). This is a place to include substantiating evidence not identified by the references. It is also a good place to include a bibliography.


===references===
===References===
 
<span style="color:#0000ff">Replace this text when text for the article is added</span> Be sure to include the <nowiki><references /></nowiki> that should be in the template. Also include any additional categories.
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Articles]]




[[Category:Paranormal Subgroup]],[[Category:Paranormal tag]]
[[Category:Paranormal Subgroup]],[[Category:Paranormal tag]]

Revision as of 11:59, 17 January 2014

Skepticism is a philosophical point of view. A skeptic is one who is expressing skepticism. A common phrase is "healthy skepticism." By that, it is intended that a person does not accept all or part of a premise without further inquiry. The assumption is that the skeptical person will make the effort to become informed about the subject before deciding to accept or reject the idea.

Healthy skepticism becomes an obstacle to learning when a person rejects an ideas without becoming informed because it contradicts accepted wisdom. While skepticism is an important component in any quest for knowledge, a more useful point of view is discernment.

Introduction

Replace this text when text for the article is added Make sure there is enough background information here so that the reader can have a sense of what the subject is about. A brief history will be provided next, so this is mostly "what it is." The introduction would be an expansion of the abstract but containing references for important points.

History

The two major schools of skepticism in Greek philosophy are the Academic and the Pyrrhonian.[1]

  • Academic: Named after Plato's Academy, the The philosophy that nothing can be known for certain
  • Pyrrhonian: Named after the Greek, Pyrrho of Elis (c. 360-275 B.C), it is the point of view of suspended judgement. The Greek, Aenesidemus (c. 100-40 B.C.), formulated it into a philosophy and adopted the title of "skeptic" (from skeptikos, meaning "inquirer") and "doubters"; (from ephektikos, meaning "one who suspends judgment")[1]

Scope

Replace this text when text for the article is added What is involved in the subject? For instance, if this is about an organization, what is the primary focus of the organization? Does it include peer-review? Is there a publication for non-technical members?

General

Types of skepticism organized skepticism


Modern skepticism

There needs to be an emphasis on skeptical objections about subjects that are not specifically addressed by mainstream science.

End notes

Replace this text when text for the article is added This is not a list of references (us them below). This is a place to include substantiating evidence not identified by the references. It is also a good place to include a bibliography.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Smith name, George H.. "A Note on the History and Meaning of Skepticism", Resources for Independent Thinking, http://www.rit.org/essays/history.php.

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