Scientific skepticism

Scientific skepticism (sometimes refered to as Skeptical Inquiry) is a scientific, or practical, epistemological position in which one does not accept the veracity of claims until solid evidence is produced.

Characteristics

Skeptics do not rely on faith; instead they search for evidence to support claims, making a decision based on the available evidence. Popular issues among skeptics include dowsing, astrology, ESP or psychic powers, alien abductions, among other pseudosciences. Famous skeptics such as James Randi are famous for debunking frauds and trickery related to pseudoscience. Many skeptics are atheists or agnostics, and have a naturalistic worldview.

The following is a definition of scientific skepticism from Skeptic magazine:

What does it mean to be a skeptic? Some people believe that skepticism is rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse skeptic with cynic and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas—no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. Ideally, skeptics do not go into an investigation closed to the possibility that a phenomenon might be real or that a claim might be true. When we say we are skeptical, we mean that we must see compelling evidence before we believe. Skeptics are from Missouri, the "show me" state. When we hear a fantastic claim we say, "that's nice, prove it."...Modern skepticism is embodied in the scientific method, that involves gathering data to formulate and test naturalistic explanations for natural phenomena. A claim becomes factual when it is confirmed to such an extent it would be reasonable to offer temporary agreement. But all facts in science are provisional and subject to challenge, and therefore skepticism is a method leading to provisional conclusions. Some claims, such as dowsing, ESP, and creationism, have been tested (and failed the tests) often enough that we can provisionally conclude that they are not valid. Other claims, such as hypnosis, the origins of language, and black holes, have been tested but results are inconclusive so we must continue formulating and testing hypotheses and theories until we can reach a provisional conclusion.

From a scientific point of view, theories are judged on many criteria, such as falsifiability, Ockham's Razor, and explanatory power, as well as the degree to which their predictions match experimental results. Scientific skepticism itself is part of science, as scientific claims are accepted on basis of evidence.

Famous Skeptics

• Susan Blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer, and broadcaster.
• Richard Dawkins is a British zoologist.
• Martin Gardner is a recreational mathematician and author of the long-running but now discontinued 'Mathematical Games' column in Scientific American.
• Basava Premanand publisher of the magazine the Indian Skeptic and chairman of the Indian CSICOP.
• James Randi is a stage magician and opponent of pseudoscience. He has also set up the "James Randi Educational Foundation".
• Carl Sagan was an American astronomer who pioneered exobiology and promoted the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and science in general. He is less well known for his skepticism.
• Michael Shermer is a science writer, founder of The Skeptics Society, and editor of its magazine The Skeptic.

Analysis

Though general criticism of scientific skepticism is often employed by proponents of protosciences, and, more generally, by advocates of pseudoscience, scientific skepticism in practice can be abused. Some skeptics reject theories which are legitimate on the basis of insufficient evidence, though the this can be a fallacy (i.e. argument from ignorance). Bruno Bauer has said that skeptics (and physicists in particular) tend to disbelieve, without investigation, the reality of phenomena that seem to contradict contemporary beliefs of science. It can even be said that the positions of skeptics must be viewed skeptically, as they are often quick to reject, prior to thorough investigation.

Critics of scientific skeptics point out that many scientific skeptics are neither open-minded nor scientific in their investigations. Due to theoretical and experimental problems in physics, and other sciences, incidents discounted by "skeptics" where contemporary scientific beliefs were contradicted and, of which were later shown to be correct, include the continental drift (first proposed in 1912 by Alfred Wegener) and Albert Einstein's theory of relativity (replacing Isaac Newton's construction of the laws of motion). This can also be seen dating back to the developement of the heliocentric (eg., Sun-centered) theory of the solar system overturning the skeptic's geocentric theory. Perhaps the most infamous example of scientists resistance to genuine evidence was Pierre-Simon Laplace's statement that rocks do not fall from heaven; in the face of copious and milennia spanning well documented instances to the contrary.

However, in the historical cases where this has happened, the evidence generally gains acceptance (when the technology and associated experimental advances are made so that the falsifiability of the theory is possible). It can be important to consider the legitimacy of criticism by skeptics on a case-by-case basis, just as the plausibility of a particular target of skepticism must be considered on a case-by-case basis. It can be difficult (or simply impossible) to argue that skepticism of a particular claim is "excessive" until after the claim itself has been shown conclusively to be true or false (and, as science progresses, a reverification of that conclusion).

See Also

Skeptics: Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, The Skeptical Environmentalist, Skeptic's Dictionary

'Science: Pseudoscience, Protoscience, Pathological science

Other Magical thinking, Argument from ignorance

External Links

• The Skeptic Society : Promoting Science & Critical Thinking and the Investigation of Extraordinary Claims and Revolutionary Ideas.
• The Skeptic's Dictionary : Collection of beliefs, deceptions, and delusions.
• Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (csicop.org) : Investigation of paranormal and pseudoscience claims.
• Skeptical Investigations.org : Promote skepticism, enquiry, and doubt within science.
• Skepticism (Suite101.com) : Philosophical systems and doctrines education.
• Scientific skepticism essay. (Alternative Science.com)