Definition

1. Noun:
   • A doubting or questioning attitude: Scepticism refers to a general disposition to doubt, question, or suspend judgment about the truth of claims, especially those presented as facts or knowledge.
   • A philosophical position: In philosophy, scepticism denotes the doctrine that true knowledge or certainty in a particular area (or in general) is uncertain or impossible to attain.

Usage and Examples

• General Attitude:
  • He viewed the politician's promises with healthy scepticism.
  • Scientific progress requires a balance of open-mindedness and scepticism.
• Philosophical Position:
  • The ancient school of Pyrrhonism is a classic form of philosophical scepticism.
  • Her scepticism about the possibility of objective moral truth shaped her research.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Methodological Scepticism: A systematic process of doubting knowledge as a method for arriving at certainty, famously employed by René Descartes.
  • Descartes' methodological scepticism led him to the famous conclusion "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am).
• Radical Scepticism: An extreme philosophical position that doubts the possibility of any knowledge beyond immediate experience.
  • Radical scepticism challenges our most basic assumptions about the external world.

Variants and Related Words

• Sceptic (noun, UK spelling; US: skeptic): A person who questions or doubts accepted opinions or claims.
  • He was a sceptic regarding the effectiveness of the new policy.
• Sceptical (adjective, UK spelling; US: skeptical): Having or expressing doubt.
  • She was sceptical of the study's results due to its small sample size.

Synonyms

• Doubt: A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
• Incredulity: The state of being unwilling or unable to believe something.
• Dubiousness: The state of being hesitating or doubting.
• Cynicism (note: often implies a more negative, distrustful attitude towards motives).

Antonyms

• Credulity: A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true.
• Certainty: Firm conviction that something is the case.
• Dogmatism: The tendency to lay down principles as undeniably true.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• A healthy dose of scepticism: A reasonable and prudent amount of doubt.
  • It's wise to approach online health claims with a healthy dose of scepticism.
• Scepticism is the first step towards truth: A proverb suggesting that doubting claims is the beginning of genuine inquiry.
  • He believed that scepticism is the first step towards truth, so he questioned everything.

Noun

1. the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge