Philosophy

ACCORDING to Raymond Harvey: The scientific sceptic, as opposed to the philosophical sceptic, is defined by rational inquiry — someone who investigates with a disposition to be persuaded.

THE Greek word skopein – from which the English word scope derives – means “to observe, aim at, examine.” It is related to the Greek skeptesthai, which means “to look out.” Skepsis and skeptikos are also both Greek and mean “to look; to enquire; to aim.”  Those are the etymological roots of the word sceptic.

Sceptic – or if you’re in the United States, skeptic, the difference purely one of form and not substance – has its origins in the Ancient Greek thinkers who developed arguments which purport to show that knowledge is either impossible (Academic Scepticism) or that there is never sufficient data to tell if knowledge is possible (Pyrrhonian Scepticism).

[Read more…] about Defining the Sceptics (Part 5)

THE word ‘sceptic’ has come to be associated with anyone who does not subscribe to the consensus view on anthropogenic global warming (AGW). 

The term is generally used in a derogatory way, so some politicians (e.g. Steve Fielding) and scientists (e.g. Stewart Franks) even if they are genuinely sceptical of the consensus view on AGW, usually shy away from the label insisting they are not sceptics. 

Then there are faux sceptics, people who have very little understanding of the theory of anthropogenic global warming, but who are so ideologically opposed to the greens or more regulation, that they have quickly identified with the label climate change sceptic.  Of course there are also contrarians who will always oppose a majority view.   

The majority view has become so fashionable, and is so vigorously defended, that even those who simply wish to hear the alternative view, or give the alternative view a platform, now risk being quickly labelled ‘a sceptic’.

Giving such a mismatch of groups and individuals the same label has so far been a useful tactic employed by AGW activists to limit discussion and instil fear.

A true sceptic, following in the path of British biologist Thomas Huxley, is a truth seeker.*  A true sceptic will place their search for the truth above all else.  

As such a true sceptic will usually be an outsider, because the masses like to agree and are rarely too concerned with the truth.

Indeed if we accept, as Mr Huxley explained, that the brains of apes and humans are fundamentally similar it is not surprising that most Homo sapiens value belonging and status above the truth.   

Indeed explaining why someone in a position of authority is wrong, rarely aids survival or improves status in a communal society (ape or human).  

Of course, politics and values are important, even if they rarely have anything to do with the pursuit of the truth.   [Read more…] about Defining the Sceptics (Part 2)