Skepticism
noun
A doubt about the truth or effectiveness of something.
When the politician promised to lower taxes, the public showed skepticism.
Often appears as...
- healthy skepticism
- show skepticism
noun
A philosophical theory that truth or knowledge is uncertain.
Skepticism is a major topic in the field of epistemology.
Often appears as...
- philosophical skepticism
- radical skepticism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
Thinking or expressing doubt about something supposed to be true or taken for granted.
He expressed skepticism about the new plan.
Often appears as...
- express skepticism
- serious skepticism
noun
The attitude of doubting the genuineness of religious beliefs.
His skepticism towards organized religion drove him towards agnosticism.
Often appears as...
- religious skepticism
- widespread skepticism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A doubt about the truth or effectiveness of something.
When the politician promised to lower taxes, the public showed skepticism.
Often appears as...
- healthy skepticism
- show skepticism
noun
A philosophical theory that truth or knowledge is uncertain.
Skepticism is a major topic in the field of epistemology.
Often appears as...
- philosophical skepticism
- radical skepticism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
Thinking or expressing doubt about something supposed to be true or taken for granted.
He expressed skepticism about the new plan.
Often appears as...
- express skepticism
- serious skepticism
noun
The attitude of doubting the genuineness of religious beliefs.
His skepticism towards organized religion drove him towards agnosticism.
Often appears as...
- religious skepticism
- widespread skepticism
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Not mere denial
Skepticism involves doubt but isn't flat-out rejection; it's questioning validity.
His skepticism didn't mean he denied global warming, just that he questioned some evidence.
Pro Tip 2/2Healthy questioning
Skepticism can suggest wise caution in believing new information without proof.
Her skepticism about the fad diet led her to research more before trying it.
Compare with
credulitycynicdisbeliefdistrustdoubtsuspicion
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Video examples
What did democracy...
But today the word has such positive associations, that vastly different regimes claim to embody it. At the same time, some share Plato's skepticism about the wisdom of crowds. Many modern democracies reconcile this conflict by having citizens elect those they consider qualified
Video examples
Can you outsmart the...
Having observed abdominal inflammation in patients who go on to develop the fever, he claims this inflammation is the cause of childbed fever. Much of the medical establishment supports his theory. Oh, come on! They really leave me no choice but to teach them some skepticism.
Video examples
Why some people find...
People did not agree on what emotion they saw on his face. Maybe you saw discomfort. That was the most frequent response that we received. But if you asked the person on your left, they might have said regret or skepticism, and if you asked somebody on your right,
Video examples
Heather Brooke: My...
and you must have two real qualities, I think, when you come to the table, when you're dealing with power, talking about power, because of its seductive capacity. You've got to have skepticism and humility. Skepticism, because you must always be challenging.
Video examples
Is telekinesis real? -...
Such discoveries must be proven extra carefully to withstand skepticism. In the case of telekinesis, the idea goes against established science, but lacks the powerful evidence in favor of it. Our universe is controlled and explained by the laws of physics,
Video examples
Is the world getting...
Our circle of sympathy has been expanded by history, journalism and the narrative arts. And our puny rational faculties have been multiplied by the norms and institutions of reason, intellectual curiosity, open debate, skepticism of authority and dogma
Video examples
Explosive 9/11 Claims PIPE...
evidence that those buildings were explosively demolished the truthers believe there may be an ulterior reason for the demolition experts skepticism the firms that do control demolition high-rises work for the most wealthy people and our federal
Video examples
The unexpected benefit...
We've got this interesting balance going where we allow our unchecked optimism to fuel our visions. But then we also harness enthusiastic skepticism to breathe life, breathe reality into those visions. I want to show you a few of the projects
Video examples
How to see past your own...
we might as well admit that objective truth is an illusion, or it doesn't matter, because either we'll never know what it is, or it doesn't exist in the first place. That's not a new philosophical thought -- skepticism about truth.
Video examples
Can VR help create...
she had a heartbreaking job her job is to go and visit these sites and help victims of natural disasters for example hurricane san what dr. Lubchenco learned is that experience Trump's skepticism doesn't
Video examples
What did democracy...
But today the word has such positive associations, that vastly different regimes claim to embody it. At the same time, some share Plato's skepticism about the wisdom of crowds. Many modern democracies reconcile this conflict by having citizens elect those they consider qualified
Video examples
Can you outsmart the...
Having observed abdominal inflammation in patients who go on to develop the fever, he claims this inflammation is the cause of childbed fever. Much of the medical establishment supports his theory. Oh, come on! They really leave me no choice but to teach them some skepticism.
Video examples
Why some people find...
People did not agree on what emotion they saw on his face. Maybe you saw discomfort. That was the most frequent response that we received. But if you asked the person on your left, they might have said regret or skepticism, and if you asked somebody on your right,
Video examples
Heather Brooke: My...
and you must have two real qualities, I think, when you come to the table, when you're dealing with power, talking about power, because of its seductive capacity. You've got to have skepticism and humility. Skepticism, because you must always be challenging.
Video examples
Is telekinesis real? -...
Such discoveries must be proven extra carefully to withstand skepticism. In the case of telekinesis, the idea goes against established science, but lacks the powerful evidence in favor of it. Our universe is controlled and explained by the laws of physics,
Video examples
Is the world getting...
Our circle of sympathy has been expanded by history, journalism and the narrative arts. And our puny rational faculties have been multiplied by the norms and institutions of reason, intellectual curiosity, open debate, skepticism of authority and dogma
Video examples
Explosive 9/11 Claims PIPE...
evidence that those buildings were explosively demolished the truthers believe there may be an ulterior reason for the demolition experts skepticism the firms that do control demolition high-rises work for the most wealthy people and our federal
Video examples
The unexpected benefit...
We've got this interesting balance going where we allow our unchecked optimism to fuel our visions. But then we also harness enthusiastic skepticism to breathe life, breathe reality into those visions. I want to show you a few of the projects
Video examples
How to see past your own...
we might as well admit that objective truth is an illusion, or it doesn't matter, because either we'll never know what it is, or it doesn't exist in the first place. That's not a new philosophical thought -- skepticism about truth.
Video examples
Can VR help create...
she had a heartbreaking job her job is to go and visit these sites and help victims of natural disasters for example hurricane san what dr. Lubchenco learned is that experience Trump's skepticism doesn't
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Pete Hamill
American Journalist
Every reporter inhales skepticism. You interview people, and they lie. You face public figures, diligently making notes or taping what is said, and they perform their interviews to fit a calculated script. The truth, alas, is always elusive.
Quote examples
Alex Pareene
American Writer
Vaccines don't cause autism. Vaccines, instead, prevent disease. Vaccines have wiped out a score of formerly deadly childhood diseases. Vaccine skepticism has helped to bring some of those diseases back from near extinction.
Quote examples
Tim Ferriss
American Author
I encourage active skepticism - when people are being skeptical because they're trying to identify the best course of action. They're trying to identify the next step for themselves or other people.
Quote examples
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
American Politician
Somehow liberals have been unable to acquire from life what conservatives seem to be endowed with at birth: namely, a healthy skepticism of the powers of government agencies to do good.
Quote examples
Ameen Rihani
Lebanese Writer
Only a well-rounded intellect, a spirit nourished in the eternal sources of intelligence and culture, of justice and wisdom, is a safeguard against both indifference and skepticism.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Flock
American Author
For most of my life, I, like many Americans, had greeted the idea of an arranged marriage with a mixture of fascination and skepticism.
Quote examples
Edith Pearlman
American Writer
I have a skepticism toward romance. I believe that decency and companionship are, in the long run, more important in life.
Quote examples
David Suzuki
Canadian Scientist
Education has failed in a very serious way to convey the most important lesson science can teach: skepticism.
Quote examples
Tyler Henry
American Entertainer
I totally understand skepticism, and I think it's so important for me to show validation of my readings.
Quote examples
Elliot Richardson
American Lawyer
People have moved beyond apathy, beyond skepticism into deep cynicism.
Quote examples
Pete Hamill
American Journalist
Every reporter inhales skepticism. You interview people, and they lie. You face public figures, diligently making notes or taping what is said, and they perform their interviews to fit a calculated script. The truth, alas, is always elusive.
Quote examples
Alex Pareene
American Writer
Vaccines don't cause autism. Vaccines, instead, prevent disease. Vaccines have wiped out a score of formerly deadly childhood diseases. Vaccine skepticism has helped to bring some of those diseases back from near extinction.
Quote examples
Tim Ferriss
American Author
I encourage active skepticism - when people are being skeptical because they're trying to identify the best course of action. They're trying to identify the next step for themselves or other people.
Quote examples
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
American Politician
Somehow liberals have been unable to acquire from life what conservatives seem to be endowed with at birth: namely, a healthy skepticism of the powers of government agencies to do good.
Quote examples
Ameen Rihani
Lebanese Writer
Only a well-rounded intellect, a spirit nourished in the eternal sources of intelligence and culture, of justice and wisdom, is a safeguard against both indifference and skepticism.
Quote examples
Elizabeth Flock
American Author
For most of my life, I, like many Americans, had greeted the idea of an arranged marriage with a mixture of fascination and skepticism.
Quote examples
Edith Pearlman
American Writer
I have a skepticism toward romance. I believe that decency and companionship are, in the long run, more important in life.
Quote examples
David Suzuki
Canadian Scientist
Education has failed in a very serious way to convey the most important lesson science can teach: skepticism.
Quote examples
Tyler Henry
American Entertainer
I totally understand skepticism, and I think it's so important for me to show validation of my readings.
Quote examples
Elliot Richardson
American Lawyer
People have moved beyond apathy, beyond skepticism into deep cynicism.
Example 1 of 10
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