skepticism (skĕp`tĭsĭzəm) [Gr.,=to reflect], philosophic position holding that the possibility of knowledge is limited either because of the limitations of the mind or because of the inaccessibility of its object. It is more loosely used to denote any questioning attitude. Extreme skepticism holds that no knowledge is possible, but this is logically untenable since the statement contradicts itself. The first important skeptical view was held by Democritus Democritus (dĭmŏk`rĭtəs), c.460–c.370 B.C., Greek philosopher of Abdera; pupil of Leucippus.
..... Click the link for more information. , who saw sense perception as no certain guide to objective reality. The Sophists Sophists (sŏf`ĭsts), originally, itinerant teachers in Greece (5th cent. B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. were the earliest group of skeptics. Protagoras Protagoras (prōtăg`ərəs), c.490–c.421 B.C., Greek philosopher of Abdera, one of the more distinguished Sophists .
..... Click the link for more information. taught the relativity of knowledge, and Gorgias Gorgias (gôr`jēəs), c.485–c.380 B.C., Greek Sophist.
..... Click the link for more information. held that either nothing could be known, or if anything were known, it could not be communicated. Pyrrho Pyrrho (pĭr`ō), c.360–270 B.C., Greek philosopher, a native of Elis, regarded as the father of skepticism .
..... Click the link for more information. , regarded as the father of skepticism, later held a similarly extreme position, seeing reality as inaccessible. Arcesilaus Arcesilaus (ärsĕs'ĭlā`əs), c.316–c.241 B.C., Greek philosopher of Pitane in Aeolis.
..... Click the link for more information. taught that certitude is impossible and only probable knowledge is attainable. In the Renaissance, skepticism is seen in the writings of Michel de Montaigne Montaigne, Michel Eyquem, seigneur de (mŏntān`, Fr.
..... Click the link for more information. , Pierre Charron Charron, Pierre (pyĕr shärôN`), 1541–1603, French Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher.
..... Click the link for more information. , and Blaise Pascal Pascal, Blaise (blĕz päskäl`), 1623–62, French scientist and religious philosopher.
..... Click the link for more information. . For René Descartes Descartes, René (rənā` dākärt`), Lat.
..... Click the link for more information. skepticism was a methodology that allowed him to arrive at certain incontrovertible truths. At the end of the 17th cent., Pierre Bayle Bayle, Pierre (pyĕr bāl), 1647–1706, French philosopher.
..... Click the link for more information. skeptically challenged philosophical and theological theories. David Hume Hume, David (hy
m), 1711–76, Scottish philosopher and historian.
..... Click the link for more information. , a leading modern skeptic, challenged established assumptions about the self, substance, and causality. The skeptical aspect of Immanuel Kant's philosophy is exemplified by his agnosticism agnosticism (ăgnŏs`tĭsĭzəm)
..... Click the link for more information. ; his antinomies of reason demonstrate that certain problems are insoluble by reason. To some degree skepticism manifests itself in the scientific method, which demands that all things assumed as facts be questioned. But the positivism of many scientists, whether latent or open, is incompatible with skepticism, for it accepts without question the assumption that material effect is impossible without material cause.
Skepticism
..... Click the link for more information. , who saw sense perception as no certain guide to objective reality. The Sophists Sophists (sŏf`ĭsts), originally, itinerant teachers in Greece (5th cent. B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. were the earliest group of skeptics. Protagoras Protagoras (prōtăg`ərəs), c.490–c.421 B.C., Greek philosopher of Abdera, one of the more distinguished Sophists .
..... Click the link for more information. taught the relativity of knowledge, and Gorgias Gorgias (gôr`jēəs), c.485–c.380 B.C., Greek Sophist.
..... Click the link for more information. held that either nothing could be known, or if anything were known, it could not be communicated. Pyrrho Pyrrho (pĭr`ō), c.360–270 B.C., Greek philosopher, a native of Elis, regarded as the father of skepticism .
..... Click the link for more information. , regarded as the father of skepticism, later held a similarly extreme position, seeing reality as inaccessible. Arcesilaus Arcesilaus (ärsĕs'ĭlā`əs), c.316–c.241 B.C., Greek philosopher of Pitane in Aeolis.
..... Click the link for more information. taught that certitude is impossible and only probable knowledge is attainable. In the Renaissance, skepticism is seen in the writings of Michel de Montaigne Montaigne, Michel Eyquem, seigneur de (mŏntān`, Fr.
..... Click the link for more information. , Pierre Charron Charron, Pierre (pyĕr shärôN`), 1541–1603, French Roman Catholic theologian and philosopher.
..... Click the link for more information. , and Blaise Pascal Pascal, Blaise (blĕz päskäl`), 1623–62, French scientist and religious philosopher.
..... Click the link for more information. . For René Descartes Descartes, René (rənā` dākärt`), Lat.
..... Click the link for more information. skepticism was a methodology that allowed him to arrive at certain incontrovertible truths. At the end of the 17th cent., Pierre Bayle Bayle, Pierre (pyĕr bāl), 1647–1706, French philosopher.
..... Click the link for more information. skeptically challenged philosophical and theological theories. David Hume Hume, David (hy
m), 1711–76, Scottish philosopher and historian...... Click the link for more information. , a leading modern skeptic, challenged established assumptions about the self, substance, and causality. The skeptical aspect of Immanuel Kant's philosophy is exemplified by his agnosticism agnosticism (ăgnŏs`tĭsĭzəm)
..... Click the link for more information. ; his antinomies of reason demonstrate that certain problems are insoluble by reason. To some degree skepticism manifests itself in the scientific method, which demands that all things assumed as facts be questioned. But the positivism of many scientists, whether latent or open, is incompatible with skepticism, for it accepts without question the assumption that material effect is impossible without material cause.
Bibliography
See R. H. Popkin, The History of Skepticism from Erasmus to Descartes (rev. ed. 1968); C. L. Stough, Greek Skepticism (1969); M. Burnyeat, ed., The Skeptical Tradition (1983); B. Stroud, The Significance of Philosophical Skepticism (1984).
skepticism
Philosophical doubting of knowledge claims in various areas. From ancient to modern times, skeptics have challenged accepted views in metaphysics, science, morals, and religion. Pyrrhon of Elis (c. 360–272 BC) sought mental peace by avoiding commitment to any particular view; his approach gave rise in the lst century BC to Pyrrhonism, proponents of which sought to achieve suspension of judgment by systematically opposing various knowledge claims. One of its later leaders, Sextus Empiricus (2nd or 3rd century AD), strove for a state of imperturbability. Modern skeptical philosophers include Michel de Montaigne, Pierre Bayle, and David Hume.
Skepticism
Skinniness (See THINNESS.)
Bothwell, SergeantDawes, JabezmushroomNaamanThomas, St.Windermere, LadyZacharias
believes in nothing. [Br. Lit.: Old Mortality]
mischievous brat ridicules Santa’s existence. [Am. Lit.: “The Boy Who Laughed at Santa Claus” in Rockwell]
symbol of suspicion. [Plant Symbolism: Flower Symbolica, 310]
at first doubts efficacy of leprosy cure. [O.T.: II Kings 5:11–14]
wouldn’t believe Christ’s resurrection until he saw Him; hence, Doubting Thomas. [N.T.: John 20:24–25]
doesn’t believe husband’s “virtuous” generosity toward Mrs. Erlynne. [Br. Lit.: Lady Windermere’s Fan, Magill I, 488–490]
struck dumb for doubting Gabriel’s birth annunciation. [N.T.: Luke 1:18–20]
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