Skepticism

VERONICA S.
BAYDANGAN
MED SS
SKEPTICISM originated
from the Greek word
“skepsis”, which means
examination, inquiry,
consideration. “Skeptikos”
means “an inquirer”,
someone who was
unsatisfied and still looking
for truth.
Definition:
•Skepticism is a philosophical
approach that involves
questioning and doubting claims
and beliefs.
•An attitude of suspicion,
alertness or critical doubt which
is brought to bear upon all
phases of inquiry.
•It promotes critical thinking and
seeks evidence before accepting
Importance:
any assertions.
•Encourages rational thinking.
•Helps in identifying fallacies and biases.
•Essential for scientific inquiry and philosophical
discourse.
Historical Background
Pyrrho of Elis
- Considered the father of
skepticism.
•He claimed that tranquility of mind was

attainable by suspending judgment
”One must resist making judgments or stating

conclusions because sense perception did not
correlate to reality. By remaining skeptical of any
dogma, one would lead a peaceful life.”
Sextus Empiricus
•He developed the ideas of the earlier

Greek Skeptic philosopher Pyrrho of
Elis
•His writings are primary sources of

ancient skepticism.
René Descartes:
“Father of Modern Philosophy.”
•Methodological Skepticism
-Any genuine knowledge can only be obtained
through absolutely truthful claims/ truth beyond
dispute, a certainty that could not be doubted.
"Methodic Doubt“/ CARTESIAN SKEPTICISM

-is a systematic process of withholding assent
regarding the truth or falsehood of all one’s beliefs
until they have been demonstrated or rationally
proven to be true or false.
METHODIC DOUBT PRINCIPLES
 Any belief or supposed knowledge that admitted even the

slightest doubt could not be held as true.
Different kinds of opinions could be grouped according to
the principle or foundation upon which they were based. So,
if the underlying principle could be doubted, then all beliefs
based on that principle could be set aside.
Hyperbolic Doubt - we have to always push the doubt

further, which is why it’s dubbed as “hyperbolic”, for only then,
after doubting everything in every manner, will we be able to
recognize truths that cannot be doubted.
STEPS OF DESCARTES’S METHODIC DOUBT
1. Doubt all premises for all premises are based on

other premises and therefore we cannot ascertain
their truthfulness.
2. We must doubt our own senses, for our senses are

not completely reliable.
3. We must try to doubt reason itself. If all of our

senses are unreliable, what is the justification to
believe that our own reasoning is?
DESCARTES’S METHODIC DOUBT OBJECTIVE
To get rid of uncertain beliefs and

establish a fundamental set of
principles that we can know as true
without any doubt.
*the parable
David Hume
In "An Enquiry Concerning

Human Understanding," Hume
argues that human knowledge is
limited to experiences, and we cannot
have certainty about anything beyond
direct experience, such as the
existence of causality itself.
Ex: “Being married/ married life is all a bed of roses”
“everything has a reason/ purpose.

SKEPTICISM IN VARIOUS FORMS & CONTEXTS
Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning

Science whether claims are supported by empirical research
and have reproducibility.
Scientific skeptics demand that claims be supported

Religion by observable, measurable, and reproducible
evidence.
Politics Only those hypotheses that are consistently

supported by empirical evidence are accepted.
Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Morality Skepticism is essential for protecting society from false claims
and superstitions that can lead to harm.
Ex. Cow’s urine for sore eyes

Religion Religious skepticism involves doubting or
questioning religious beliefs and doctrines.
Thomas Paine (1737-1809)
Advocates for “deism”

-a belief in a rational God based on reason and the observation
WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?
of the natural world, rather than on revealed religion or
scripture.
•He challenges the authenticity and moral authority of religious texts like
the Bible, arguing that they are human-made and filled with
contradictions and immoral teachings.
•He posits that the universe itself is evidence of a creator, but this creator
does not intervene in human affairs or communicate through holy
books.
Moral and political skepticism question the foundations
Morality and objectivity of moral claims and political ideologies.
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900):

He encourages individuals to question and critique universally
accepted moral norms.
J.L. Mackie (1917-1981)

•argues that there are no objective moral facts or truths.
•He claims that moral statements do not express objective facts but are
expressions of subjective attitudes and preferences.
•moral values are not universal but are relative to cultural or

individual perspectives.
•Moral relativism/ cultural relativism

Political Political skepticism question the foundations and
objectivity of political ideologies.
Critical Theory
Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer
- emphasizes the need to critique and question existing political and

social systems. These systems are often designed to maintain the status
quo and serve the interests of the powerful.
•Ideology and propaganda are used by those in power to manipulate
public perception and maintain control.
To get rid of uncertain beliefs and
establish a fundamental set of
principles that we can know as true
without any doubt.
_RENE DESCARTES
•Skeptics believe that knowledge should be based on evidence and logical
reasoning, and that claims should be evaluated critically.
•They do not accept claims at face value, but rather seek out evidence to
support or refute them.
•Skeptics are not skeptics for the sake of being skeptical, but rather
because they believe that skepticism is the best way to arrive at the truth.
•Cynics tend to view the world through a negative lens, assuming the
worst of people and situations.
•They are often dismissive of new ideas and are not easily convinced
by evidence or reason.
•While skepticism is a healthy and necessary approach to evaluating
claims, cynicism can be harmful to our mental well-being and hinder
the pursuit of truth.

Skepticism

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Skepticism

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Skepticism

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

VERONICA S.

•He claimed that tranquility of mind was

”One must resist making judgments or stating

•He developed the ideas of the earlier

•His writings are primary sources of

“Father of Modern Philosophy.”

"Methodic Doubt“/ CARTESIAN SKEPTICISM

 Any belief or supposed knowledge that admitted even the

Hyperbolic Doubt - we have to always push the doubt

1. Doubt all premises for all premises are based on

2. We must doubt our own senses, for our senses are

3. We must try to doubt reason itself. If all of our

To get rid of uncertain beliefs and

In "An Enquiry Concerning

Ex: “Being married/ married life is all a bed of roses”

“everything has a reason/ purpose.

Scientific skepticism is the practice of questioning

Scientific skeptics demand that claims be supported

Politics Only those hypotheses that are consistently

Carl Sagan (1934-1996)

Ex. Cow’s urine for sore eyes

Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

Advocates for “deism”

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900):

J.L. Mackie (1917-1981)

•moral values are not universal but are relative to cultural or

•Moral relativism/ cultural relativism

- emphasizes the need to critique and question existing political and

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.