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| Planet of the Skeptics Skepticism |
Skepticism
The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (IEP), a
peer reviewed site of Doctors and Professors, outlines that “The term “skeptic”
derives from a Greek noun, skepsis, which means examination,
inquiry, consideration.1” The online encyclopedia further defines
Contemporary Skepticism by stating “Philosophical views are typically classed
as skeptical when they involve advancing some degree of doubt
regarding claims that are elsewhere taken for granted.2”
(To learn more about IEP click here)
So why am I talking about skepticism? Skepticism
is, in my opinion, THE KEY component to
education. Merriam-Webster.com
defines education as “the field of study that deals mainly with methods of
teaching and learning in schools.3” That is to say education is
about learning. Learning is something we should all strive to do on a daily
basis. Skepticism is the next step and key component to education/learning. As
I previously outlined, skepticism involves examination and inquiry into claims
that are taken for granted. We should be skeptical about all claims! We should
seek to examine and inquire further into anything we are told is truth. If
truth is claimed we should want to know whether or not it is, in fact, true. This
is especially important when claims of truth, seek to advance a position or
indicate how we should live our lives. We are doing ourselves a disservice to
not further inquire, to not question and examine what we are told.
If someone proclaims that any virgin raped, must
marry their rapist, if the rapist pays the victim’s father $400 for this
dishonour committed – would you accept this truth? Or would you have questions?
Would you accept that because others say this is the way things were, it was a
different time?
I sincerely doubt ANYONE still reading this
would be satisfied without further examination and inquiry. You would be skeptical
that the proclaimed truth is evident, logical and should remain as is.
I simply assert that you should be this
skeptical for all truth claims. Some will reveal themselves as false much
easier than others. Just as, some will reveal themselves as truth much easier.
But, we should always strive for truth. We should not accept claims of truth
for the unknown. We should seek to move ourselves forward. Forward through real
truths. Truths that seek to connect us on a human level with each other. Truths
that when left unproven, we do not cling to! Truths that we seek to put up to
the challenge of skeptical review.
This is the education I want for our
children.
Truth matters!
Our future depends on it!
(Click here
for a more thought provoking article on why we must always be skeptical)
3. Education” Merriam-Webster.
Retrieved 31 January 2014.
