Skepticism

[jamie hale]

Practical tips for skilled skeptics

 

Realize that the need to believe, and serve others, are basic human needs

 

In general our expectations pretty much determine what we see and don’t see (magicians take full advantage of this expectation)

 

Humans lie and they BS (almost always with a vested interest)

 

Under specific conditions hallucinations may occur in healthy people

 

For many people that don’t understand specific phenomena they would rather believe something than say they don’t know

 

Apply skepticism in a very cautious manner to particular subjects e.g. religion, abortion, death penalty etc.

 

Realize you can’t be skeptical 100% of the time as there are not enough hours in the day

 

The skilled skeptic must learn when to keep their questions to themselves if not you will have many enemies (be a Practical Skeptic)

 

The majority of society does not understand science nor are they interested (they want to know what to think not how to think)

 

Skilled skeptics understand the rules of logic, the principles of experimentation, experimental design and what constitutes scientific evidence

 

Human beings are fallible and have a need sometimes have a need to be right

 

Human beings have a strong need for certainty, security and stability

 

Human beings have strong social needs (although not all human beings)

 

Human beings have a strong need for simplicity, easily understandable answers to complex questions

 

Human beings like to feel important

 

Skilled skeptics do not make judgments based on insufficient evidence

 

Skilled skeptics realizes there are varying degrees of certainty but no absolute certainty

 

Skilled skeptics listen to other people’s ideas with an open mind

 

Skill skeptics understand all knowledge is tentative

 

Skilled skeptics are aware of their own personal bias, and aware when their skepticism turns to cynicism

 

Skilled skeptics habitually question their own beliefs and methods that were used to come to those beliefs

 

Skilled skeptics are educated on research methodology (this means at an advanced level)

 

Skilled skeptics avoid Hero Worship (e.g. James Randi says or Michael Shermer says, also referred to as Appeal to Authority Fallacy)

 

Skilled skeptics realize science does not explain everything nor does it claim to

 

Skilled skeptics do not fall prey to the Translation Fallacy (this fallacy occurs when the subject being discussed cannot be defined. If you can define the word or topic forget about stating your opinion.)

 

Any Additional suggestions are appreciated.

 

Good read from Harriet Hall on skepticism

http://www.skepticstoolbox.org/hall/

 

Jamie Hale

 

 

 

 

 

 

coach hale

[Mr Skeptic]

Is skepticism really the best way to go about things?

[jamie hale]

This is where it is important to consider the siuation. Under some cirumstances voicing your skepticism may not be the best thing to do. Many people consider any questioning a personal insult. Dogmatism is often the norm.

 

thanks,

Jamie Hale

[JillSwift]

This is where it is important to consider the siuation. Under some cirumstances voicing your skepticism may not be the best thing to do. Many people consider any questioning a personal insult. Dogmatism is often the norm.

Do you have any evidence backing that statement?

[ydoaPs]

Do you have any evidence backing that statement?

 

The Religious Wrong Right? Fox News?

[JillSwift]

The Religious Wrong Right? Fox News?

Um, that was just a joke, kiddo.

[ydoaPs]

Um, that was just a joke, kiddo.

 

so is your face!