111 replies to this topic

[Jackofalltrades]

I must be a skeptic then....... as I do not believe what the American government's story is, in regard's to 9/11

[lightly]

Hasina, on 04 October 2012 - 11:05 PM, said:

Everyone's a skeptic.

  ..ya,  everyone can be skeptical .

[Hilander]

There are times I am skeptical.  It shows up almost every time I come on UM.

[Liquid Gardens]

JamesThomas, on 04 October 2012 - 10:32 PM, said:

Most skeptics I know, don't really research very deep into anything, but rather trust the mainstream.

Hmmm, maybe I'm not getting it but that seems contradictory.  If they trust the mainstream the way I think you mean it then they're not skeptics, almost by definition; maybe you mean 'self-proclaimed skeptics'.  And sometimes people don't trust the mainstream, they agree with the mainstream, because some of what constitutes the mainstream is, well, factual.

Quote

It's the "conspiracy theorists" gawd I hate that term, that generally don't trust and so dig deeper to find what the masses gloss over.

True, and in that respect they'd be skeptical.  A key part of being a skeptic though is to apply that same level of skepticism, or even better more, to their own beliefs and conclusions; on that front there are definitely some CTs who come up short.

[Liquid Gardens]

JamesThomas, on 04 October 2012 - 11:00 PM, said:

Who is it that believes JFK's murder was planned by members of our own government? Generally one with a doubting or questioning attitude who has spent hundreds of hours looking at the data (qualities related to a skeptic).
Who is it that sees that 9/11 points to an inside job? Generally one who has looked at the hundreds of questions and discrepancies that unfolded that day and days following (qualities given to a skeptic).

Yet it is now the skeptics who laugh at those who have done the investigations and who have walked away with deep questions. Now days the skeptic is not a brave soul who questions and goes against the crowd. He is the crowd.

Those who have done the investigations and who have walked away with deep questions usually don't stop there, they usually also start coming to conclusions of their own, and those conclusions deserve as much skepticism as they themselves have applied in their investigations.  Let's not confuse being skeptical with being correct.

[Euphorbia]

JamesThomas, on 04 October 2012 - 11:00 PM, said:

Who is it that believes JFK's murder was planned by members of our own government? Generally one with a doubting or questioning attitude who has spent hundreds of hours looking at the data (qualities related to a skeptic).
Who is it that sees that 9/11 points to an inside job? Generally one who has looked at the hundreds of questions and discrepancies that unfolded that day and days following (qualities given to a skeptic).

Yet it is now the skeptics who laugh at those who have done the investigations and who have walked away with deep questions. Now days the skeptic is not a brave soul who questions and goes against the crowd. He is the crowd.

Skepticism works both ways.....I'm skeptical that 9/11 was an inside job and that JFK's murder was planned by our government. Hell, I'm skeptical of this thread....

[Sakari]

JamesThomas, on 04 October 2012 - 10:32 PM, said:

Hasina: "So... The people who are labeled 'skeptics' are... actually the conspiracy theorists?! That just wrinkled my brain."

That's exactly what happened to me. I may be crazy and perhaps reading it wrong...but it all seems backwards.

Most skeptics I know, don't really research very deep into anything, but rather trust the mainstream. It's the "conspiracy theorists" gawd I hate that term, that generally don't trust and so dig deeper to find what the masses gloss over.

Then you have not had the opportunity to know the skeptics here

[booNyzarC]

Sakari, on 05 October 2012 - 01:27 AM, said:

Then you have not had the opportunity to know the skeptics here

Hallelujah brother.  

[Arbenol68]

I think the usage of the word 'sceptic' has changed and is now closer to it's origin:

from Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos one who reflects upon, from skeptesthai to consider

To me it means not to doubt, scoff or reject. But to question whether something has validity. So, for example, when people talk about 'climate change sceptics' they really mean deniers. We should all be sceptical, regardless of what side of an argument we find ourselves on.

[Michelle]

A good debater should be able to argue both sides.

[Likely Guy]

"Beleive It Or Not, A Sceptic Is Someone Who:
habitually doubts the authenticity of accepted beliefs"

No they don't, they doubt the authenticity of purported beliefs.

[Obviousman]

A sceptic / skeptic is one who applies critical thinking and scientific method to the examination of knowledge, perceptions and beliefs.

[Babe Ruth]

So anybody can be a skeptic, I agree.  I say skepticism is healthy.

And ultimately skepticism is a function of one's own common sense.  If a person tells you that he was once the President of the US, you are skeptical of his claim unless you know you're talking to Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton.

If a person well known for his mendacity tells you anything, you are skeptical of his claims because of his history.

[booNyzarC]

Babe Ruth, on 05 October 2012 - 01:11 PM, said:

So anybody can be a skeptic, I agree.  I say skepticism is healthy.

And ultimately skepticism is a function of one's own common sense.  If a person tells you that he was once the President of the US, you are skeptical of his claim unless you know you're talking to Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton.

If a person well known for his mendacity tells you anything, you are skeptical of his claims because of his history.

Nice description of why hardly anybody takes anything you say seriously.

[RaptorBites]

Likely Guy, on 05 October 2012 - 04:13 AM, said:

"Beleive It Or Not, A Sceptic Is Someone Who:
habitually doubts the authenticity of accepted beliefs"

No they don't, they doubt the authenticity of purported beliefs.

By far, the best definition of a Skeptic.