Skepticism

From RationalWiki

skepticism (also scepticism) (skĕp'tĭ-sĭz'əm) n.

1. A doubting or questioning attitude or state of mind; dubiety.
2. Philosophy.
   1. The ancient school of Pyrrho of Elis that stressed the uncertainty of our beliefs in order to oppose dogmatism.
   2. The doctrine that absolute knowledge is impossible, either in a particular domain or in general.
   3. A methodology based on an assumption of doubt with the aim of acquiring approximate or relative certainty.
3. Doubt or disbelief of religious tenets.

(Definition from Answers.com)

Skepticism is a basic part of the scientific method.

[edit] Notable skeptics

In 1999, Skeptical Inquirer magazine named their top ten and other notable skeptics of the 20th Century^[1]

1. James Randi (James Randi Educational Foundation)
2. Martin Gardner
3. Carl Sagan
4. Paul Kurtz
5. Ray Hyman
6. Philip J. Klass
7. Isaac Asimov
8. Bertrand Russell
9. Harry Houdini
10. Albert Einstein
11. Richard Feynman
12. Joe Nickell
13. Karl Popper
14. H.L. Mencken
15. Richard Dawkins
16. Stephen Jay Gould
17. James Alcock
18. Stephen Barrett (Quackwatch)
19. Bart Bok
20. Michael Shermer (Skeptic's Society)
21. Kendrick Frazier
22. Mark Twain
23. Oscar Pfungst
24. Robert. A. Baker
25. John Stear

[edit] See also

• Skeptics in the Pub
• Skeptics Guide to the Universe
• Pyrrhonism

[edit] Footnotes

1. ↑ Ten Outstanding Skeptics of the Century