What does scepticism mean?

Definitions for scepticism
ˈskɛp təˌsɪz əmscep·ti·cism

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word scepticism.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. agnosticism, skepticism, scepticismnoun

    the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge

Wikipedia

  1. scepticism

    Skepticism, also spelled scepticism, is a questioning attitude or doubt toward knowledge claims that are seen as mere belief or dogma. For example, if a person is skeptical about claims made by their government about an ongoing war then the person doubts that these claims are accurate. In such cases, skeptics normally recommend not disbelief but suspension of belief, i.e. maintaining a neutral attitude that neither affirms nor denies the claim. This attitude is often motivated by the impression that the available evidence is insufficient to support the claim. Formally, skepticism is a topic of interest in philosophy, particularly epistemology. More informally, skepticism as an expression of questioning or doubt can be applied to any topic, such as politics, religion, or pseudoscience. It is often applied within restricted domains, such as morality (moral skepticism), atheism (skepticism about the existence of God), or the supernatural. Some theorists distinguish "good" or moderate skepticism, which seeks strong evidence before accepting a position, from "bad" or radical skepticism, which wants to suspend judgment indefinitely. Philosophical skepticism is one important form of skepticism. It rejects knowledge claims that seem certain from the perspective of common sense. Radical forms of philosophical skepticism deny that "knowledge or rational belief is possible and urge us to suspend judgment on many or all controversial matters." More moderate forms claim only that nothing can be known with certainty, or that we can know little or nothing about nonempirical matters, such as whether God exists, whether human beings have free will, or whether there is an afterlife. In ancient philosophy, skepticism was understood as a way of life associated with inner peace. Skepticism has been responsible for many important developments in science and philosophy. It has also inspired several contemporary social movements. Religious skepticism advocates for doubt concerning basic religious principles, such as immortality, providence, and revelation. Scientific skepticism advocates for testing beliefs for reliability, by subjecting them to systematic investigation using the scientific method, to discover empirical evidence for them.

ChatGPT

  1. scepticism

    Scepticism, also spelled skepticism, is a philosophical or scientific attitude of questioning or doubting the authenticity or validity of certain knowledge or beliefs. It is the inclination towards doubt or incredulity, rather than accepting information without questioning its facts, truth or assumptions. Skeptics usually require strong evidence before accepting any claim as true.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Scepticism

    etc. See Skeptic, Skeptical, Skepticism, etc

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Scepticism

    primarily doubt respecting, and ultimately disbelief in, the reality of the super-sensible, or the transcendental, or the validity of the evidence on which the belief in it is founded, such as reason or revelation, and in religious matters is tantamount to infidelity more or less sweeping.

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of scepticism in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of scepticism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of scepticism in a Sentence

  1. Tatha Ghose:

    Today, the central bank will likely confirm that it is not ending its hiking cycle to switch to data-driven mode – in which case, the market will be vindicated, at the same time, any tentative sign that the central bank is thinking about pausing the hiking cycle soon will add to the scepticism and reverse the strength of the exchange rate.

  2. Marcelo Claure:

    There is a scepticism with our ability to be able to get this merger approved.

  3. France France new president:

    The last 10 years have been cruel for Europe. We have managed crises but we have lost our way, i firmly believe in Europe, but I don't find this scepticism unjustified.

  4. Denis Diderot:

    A thing is not proved just because no one has ever questioned it. What has never been gone into impartially has never been properly gone into. Hence scepticism is the first step toward truth. It must be applied generally, because it is the touchstone.

  5. Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom:

    We need to have an open and frank discussion about investment protection, the consultation clearly shows that there is a huge scepticism.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

scepticism#10000#53222#100000

Translations for scepticism

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"scepticism." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/scepticism>.

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