Skepticism facts for kids

Skepticism (say "SKEP-tuh-siz-um") is all about having a healthy dose of doubt. It means you question things and don't just believe them right away.

Skepticism can mean a few things:

• Wondering if something really exists.
• Doubting if we can truly know something for sure.
• Questioning if our way of thinking about something is correct.
• Using a method of careful thinking, where you hold back judgment and investigate things thoroughly.

The History of Skepticism

Skepticism started a long time ago in Ancient Greece. Some early Greek thinkers, called Sophists, were often skeptics. For example, a philosopher named Gorgias once said that if anything exists, we can't really know it.

Later, a Greek philosopher named Pyrrho of Elis (around 360–275 BC) traveled a lot and learned to practice skepticism in his daily life. Another philosopher, Carneades (around 213–129 BC), believed that there's no such thing as absolute truth or falsity. He argued that we can't be completely certain about anything.

Much later, Sextus Empiricus (around 200 AD) wrote a lot about Greek skepticism. He said that we should base our knowledge on what we can observe and experience.

Famous Thinkers and Doubt

The main idea of skepticism is that if we don't know *anything* for sure, then maybe we can't know *anything at all*. Many great philosophers have tried to solve this puzzle.

• Descartes, a French philosopher, famously said, "I think, therefore I am." He meant that even if he doubted everything else, he couldn't doubt that he was thinking, which proved he existed.
• Other thinkers, like the British philosophers John Locke and David Hume, believed we learn mostly through our senses.

Some types of knowledge are especially open to skepticism. For example, an agnostic is someone who believes that we can't know for sure if supernatural things (like gods or spirits) exist.

Skepticism in Science and Law

Skepticism is a very important tool in science. Scientists use a method called methodological skepticism. This means they:

• Start with doubt.
• Don't jump to conclusions.
• Carefully investigate and test their ideas.
• Discuss their findings with others.

This process can take many years before scientists agree on a fact. This careful, questioning approach is one of the most important things we've learned from skeptics. It's also used in modern legal systems, where evidence is carefully examined before a decision is made.

People and Groups Who Promote Skepticism

Literary Skeptics

Some writers have explored skeptical ideas in their books:

• Ambrose Bierce: The Devil's Dictionary
• Ignacy Krasicki: Fables and Parables
• Bolesław Prus: Pharaoh
• Voltaire: Candide
• Montaigne: Essays

Organizations That Promote Skepticism

There are groups today that encourage skeptical thinking and scientific inquiry:

• Center for Inquiry
• Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
• The Skeptics Society
• James Randi Educational Foundation
• Rationalist International
• The New England Skeptical Society
• Australian Skeptics

Skepticism in Media

• MythBusters: This TV show was a great example of practical skepticism. The hosts would test common myths and urban legends to see if they were true, using scientific methods.

Images for kids

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  A robot representing curiosity and questioning.

See also

In Spanish: Escepticismo para niños