The skeptic and his skepticism: What does the eternal search for evidence lead to?

Author of the material:

Inna Trofimova

writer, psychologist, gestalt therapist

For unknown reasons, public opinion portrays the skeptic as a strange, eternally doubting creature without a stable point of view. And skepticism is perceived as a form of pessimism or despondency. But the passion for obtaining comprehensive evidence can be very useful. Without a skeptical assessment, it is impossible to reason sensibly about information from the Internet, protect yourself from scammers, filter gossip and resist the tricks of marketers.

In this article we will talk about the facets of skepticism, the benefits of critical thinking, and strategies for those who want to learn to trust common sense.

Who is a skeptic?

A skeptic is a type of personality who tends to question both other people's conclusions and his own, is able to see weakness in any argument and strives to check and confirm every detail in the picture of the world. It is difficult to influence a skeptic's opinion with unsubstantiated claims without indisputable evidence.

The thought process in the skeptic's head does not stop. He constantly thinks about things that he considers important, argues and argues with himself, revising his life attitudes. He also regularly rethinks his own actions and mistakes of the past. Perhaps this is precisely what explains Honoré de Balzac’s famous statement “Skeptics are the most conscientious people.”

Interestingly, skeptics themselves are not inclined to claim that they have accurate or sufficiently complete information. They carefully check everything, look for arguments and evidence, and only after a detailed investigation conducted by themselves do they express their own opinion. Of course, it is difficult for one person to study all the necessary information. The skeptic understands this, so he sees no problem in changing his point of view after receiving new significant facts.

What is PHILOSOPHICAL SKEPTICISM.

Philosophical skepticism has a more abstract meaning than scientific skepticism. Philosophical skeptics refrain from making any claims about the absolute truth of things, believing that anyone can be wrong. Sometimes, this type of skepticism is usually called Pyrrhonism, since its founder is considered to be the ancient Greek philosopher Pyrrho from Elis.

In simple words, the essence of the concept of philosophical skepticism can be described as doubt that reliable knowledge exists at all.

How did the term come about?

Skepticism originally appeared as a doctrine in ancient Greek philosophy. One of its creators was Xenophanes; significant contributions to the doctrine were made by Pyrrho, Aenesidemus, Agrippa, Arcesilaus and Sextus Empiricus. Philosophical skepticism implies doubt about the possibility of reliable knowledge. The followers of this teaching adhered to the idea that it was necessary to be guided by “reasonable probability” rather than strive to find the truth. In any situation, you should rely on common sense, which is formed in everyday life.

During the Renaissance, new interest in ancient Greek philosophies arose, and philosophers again became interested in ancient skepticism. This was a period when knowledge increased at an unprecedented rate. Therefore, a skeptical attitude was necessary to confirm knowledge and a balanced approach to its interpretation and systematization.

At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a scientific and technological revolution began, and this contributed to a new increase in interest in philosophical skepticism. If earlier this trend was used mainly in philosophy, now it has spread to all scientific research , since there is an urgent need for reliable knowledge.

The 1970s saw the emergence of scientific skepticism, necessitated by increased interest in the paranormal. Around the same time, the understanding of who a skeptic is took on a modern form. This word began to be used not only for supporters of philosophical skepticism, but also for all people who believe that any information must be verified and confirmed in order to be considered reliable.

In 1992, the international Society of Skeptics was formed, dedicated to refuting various anti-scientific and pseudoscientific theories. They publish their own magazine, Skeptic, hold conferences, and are active on the Internet. Their main task is to expose astrologers, ufologists, homeopaths and other supporters of unconventional trends in science.

What is SCIENTIFIC SKEPTICISM.

This direction of skepticism is based on doubts regarding various scientific or pseudo-scientific statements. For example, scientific skeptics question:

• The effectiveness of homeopathy and alternative methods of treatment;
• The existence of telekinesis, telepathy and so on;
• The existence of various supernatural entities (ghosts, spirits, angels, deities, etc.);
• Usefulness of cryptozoology and ufology;
• Popular Psychology Claims;
• The reality of pseudoscientific myths, and much more.

The main task of scientific skepticism is to prove or debunk information that is presented under “scientific sauce”.

How to recognize a skeptic?

People with a skeptical mindset are not particularly emotional. They specifically suppress emotions so that they do not interfere with the sound analysis of information. A skeptic usually has a calm and serious expression on his face. He smiles quite rarely, because he tends to think more carefully about what he hears and sees. In communication, a skeptic can be quite harsh. He is not afraid to offend his interlocutor, because he believes that honesty and directness are more important than emotions. By personality type, a skeptic is, in most cases, phlegmatic or melancholic.

Some researchers argue that people with skeptical thinking have characteristic appearance features: they are thin, their faces have pointed features. These signs should not be taken seriously, but they can be taken into account.

Sometimes a skeptic is credited with traits characteristic of a pessimist. This is an erroneous judgment because a pessimist distrusts good news and readily believes bad news. A skeptic tends to doubt any information coming from outside. His goal is to determine the truth, while a pessimist simply looks for the negative in everything.

Skeptics usually deny religious beliefs because no one can provide them with rational arguments to support the dogmas proposed by the religion. They also deny all supernatural and otherworldly phenomena that cannot be proven with material evidence.

There is also the concept of “religious skepticism.” It implies doubt in individual statements, but does not deny religion as a whole.

A skeptic accepts only those arguments whose authenticity he has no doubt about. He is able to accept the fact of the existence of aliens or other supernatural creatures and phenomena, but only after he receives comprehensive evidence. He also never relies on his own intuition and carefully weighs all arguments when making decisions. This leads to some slowness even in emergency situations.

How to learn critical thinking?

Thinking critically means analyzing information, being able to distinguish the highest quality truth from lies, taking into account all arguments, dispassionately reasoning and getting out of situations to your advantage. Where to begin?

Recognize problems in your thinking.

The starting point of training is self-knowledge. You need to learn to observe yourself from the outside, analyze your decisions. To begin with, you can analyze unpleasant situations that happen regularly: not just describe the train of thought, but identify the logic, the role of emotions in decision making.

At the same time, memory training will be required. Poor memory can distort events beyond recognition and pass off received information as an event actually experienced. But trained memory provides all the materials to compare the data received with the experience experienced.

It is imperative to take into account the barriers to critical thinking. This is a fear of expressing one’s own judgment, a reluctance to reflect on the information received. This is self-doubt, too quick criticism of your ideas. This also includes a lack of knowledge and lack of necessary experience.

Take a self-confidence test

Apply critical thinking guidelines to problem solving.

Develop the habit of reframing one problem a week. An example format you can use is:

• Problem. Make sure it exists.
• Situation. Describe the problem from different angles: chronological, logical, emotional.
• Analysis . Think about what really happened, get to the bottom of it.
• Brainstorm . Make a list of possible solutions, even the most risky and incredible ones.
• Solution. Make a balanced decision, choose what works in a particular case.
• Action . Act strictly according to plan, at least to test critical thinking in action.
• Grade . Evaluate the result, your mistakes, the experience gained.

Develop the qualities necessary for critical thinking.

1. Observation means noticing details, collecting information.
2. Skepticism is the healthy questioning of any information, even from the most reliable source.
3. Objectivity – limiting the influence of emotions where a cool mind is needed.
4. Curiosity – showing interest in the world and people.
5. Accuracy - evaluate how accurate the conclusion is or whether there are still weak points.
6. Analytical thinking - making decisions based on observations, collecting and evaluating evidence.
7. Empathy – consider the human factor.
8. Openness to everything new - being open-minded to alternative interpretations.
9. Impartiality – take into account all evidence, points of view, information.
10. Communication – follow the flow of thoughts of the interlocutor.

Read books that will help develop critical thinking.

Books on critical thinking are written by Nobel Prize winners, famous psychologists, biologists, science journalists, business coaches and university scientists. The selection of books is also impressive. This kind of reading is an opportunity to learn a new skill and a real chance to change your life.

conclusions:

• Skepticism is the art of doubting the unproven.
• Skepticism is not an end in itself, but a way to find peace of mind.
• Followers of the skeptics' teachings called for following the statements of reason, their natural instincts, reading books, doing science and exploring the world.
• Learning to think critically is necessary in order to find the truth.

Take the empathy test

Pros of being a skeptic

The critical thinking of a skeptic gives him certain advantages. It is almost impossible to manipulate him, it is impossible to impose wrong views on him. Skeptics almost never become victims of scammers ; they do not trust advertising and quickly uncover poorly disguised scams and deceptions. They are constantly in search of the truth and are ready to spend a lot of effort to find it. These qualities often help them succeed in life.

A skeptic thinks logically, trying to subordinate every action to common sense, so he is not prone to impulsive actions and decisions. He does not strive to “be like everyone else”; the universal desire to conform to fashion trends is alien to him. It is skeptics who usually swim alone against the tide, resist established stereotypes and strive to open the eyes of others. Thanks to the ability to deeply analyze information, skeptics become excellent auditors, inspectors, investigators, lawyers and, of course, scientists.

Skepticism pros and cons

Let's look at the pros and cons of skepticism. Critical thinking is part of the process of scientific knowledge, and up to a certain extent there is nothing wrong with it. In some situations, he can really save. This quality will keep a person from investing money in a financial adventure.

However, excessive suspicion can prevent the development of new relationships and taking profitable risks. In the second case, we are talking about unhealthy skepticism, in which the level of distrust of people is unreasonably high. The pathological fear of falling into the clutches of scammers makes a person refuse sensible offers.

Cons of being a skeptic

The most problematic area for skeptics is interpersonal relationships. They are suspicious and distrustful, and do not hesitate to openly express doubts. Their meticulousness often irritates their interlocutors. Having heard a dubious statement, they ask again, “Where did you read that?” Such questions cause a negative reaction because people are not ready to answer them and perceive them as a sign of distrust.

The skeptic himself understands perfectly well that his meticulousness spoils relationships with people, but he cannot do anything about it. He is also aware of his slowness in making important decisions and sometimes envies impulsive people who do not spend time thinking. Skepticism is useful when making long-term plans for the future, but it gets in the way when making urgent decisions.

What is RELIGIOUS SKEPTICISM.

With regard to religious skepticism, everything is quite simple. Religious skeptics are people who doubt certain religious claims or tenets. For example, they may question the reality of the existence of certain miracles, or the reliability of the “facts” described in sacred texts. It is worth noting that religious skeptics are not always atheists. A person can be quite religious, but at the same time disagree with some statements from the concept of his faith.

How to communicate with a skeptic?

If you understand well who a skeptic is, establishing communication with him is not difficult. Remember that an interlocutor who is ready to meaningfully argue and defend his own point of view with arguments and facts is always interesting for a skeptic. He likes unambiguous arguments and justifications that do not raise doubts. Before you voice a specific proposal to him, carefully consider it for any pitfalls.

Having a skeptic on your team is always helpful. He calculates all possible scenarios, so getting into trouble with him is much more difficult. The romantics and idealists on your team may be offended by how harshly he besieges them. But this is a rational approach to avoid unfavorable developments.

Are modern skeptics good or bad?

Has the goal been achieved? Does being skeptical about anything make us happy? Having originated and received sufficient development in the ancient era, the philosophy of skepticism in modern times was divided into five equal directions :

1. ordinary;
2. philosophical;
3. methodological;
4. scientific;
5. religious.

And although they exist in different spheres of life, they are united by the common idea of ​​weeding out dubious theses and confronting dogmatism. Sometimes this leads to the fact that skeptics manage to begin to challenge their own position, as was the case with Rene Descartes.

The eminent French mathematician questioned the very concept of skeptical methodology, but built the foundation of a new scientific philosophy based on the principles of radical doubt.

Today, quite violent clashes between scientific and religious skeptics are by no means uncommon, although their areas of activity practically do not overlap. Moreover, the majority of representatives of scientific skepticism are outspoken scientists , that is, people who treat scientific knowledge as a religion.

Scientists who force science into the framework of dogma consistently fight against any teachings whose effectiveness cannot be demonstrated empirically or with the help of indisputable evidence. Because of this, clashes with adherents of esoteric teachings and pseudoscientific movements arise every now and then.

However, religious organizations are also full of doubters. Their task is not to refute religion as such, but to focus the attention of the community on banal frauds. In such cases, skeptics ask questions about the legitimacy of certain dogmas and denounce “miracles” or other events recognized by the church.

It is noteworthy that it was thanks to skepticism that the institution of canonizing a person as a saint was formed, as well as a set of criteria for recognizing miracles.