Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Then I guess I disagree with Wikipedia too. It's okay to disagree.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hankrigby
I still wouldn't define it as a philosophy even if you can find people on the internet that agree with you.
This isn't a matter of opinion. It's a fact. Skepticisim is a formal school of philosophy and has been for centuries. That's not a matter of opinion. It's a fact.
Now is that what most people mean when they are discussing being skeptical? No. On that we agree.
That's why I stated in any discussion like this, it is always important to define your terms. Same thing when people get off on "socialism" or "capitalism." My first question is always: Okay, exactly what do you mean when you say something is socialist or capitalist? Nine times out of ten, what they are talking about isn't really socialism or capitalism.
Not really. But that is why it is so important to define our terms in any discussion.
Skepticism is actually a specific type of philosophy with very specific terms and assertions. 99% of the time, that is not what most people are talking about when they claim to be a "skeptic."
In my experience, what most people mean: I can't be sure what you're claiming is true, but something about it seems off. I'm not convinced.
When it comes to most claims of the paranormal, that's where I find myself.
What I do not like is the supreme arrogance I find in most of the "true believers" and the "hardcore debunkers." They are so convinced that they alone get it, and that anyone who disagrees with them is either an idiot or in on The Conspiracy. We need a more humble approach to knowledge: admitting that no one yet knows it all, and there are still things in the cosmos for us to figure out.
The same could be said for skeptics and doubters too! I have no probelm with a serious, intelligent discussion, really on just about anything, but Ive seen topics, lets say on Bigfoot to keep it on topic for this forum and on this forum, go on for 15 pages because the 2 parties each think they are right. I especially dont like being told Im wrong about something I have seen or heard in my lifetime. It pizzes me off to no end. If someone doesnt ant to believe what I say, fine, but dont tell me Im wrong for what I beleive, or what I saw.
This isn't a matter of opinion. It's a fact. Skepticisim is a formal school of philosophy and has been for centuries. That's not a matter of opinion. It's a fact.
then you would be able to prove it pointing out some opinions from Wikipedia doesn't prove anything.
Quote:
Now is that what most people mean when they are discussing being skeptical? No. On that we agree.
That's why I stated in any discussion like this, it is always important to define your terms. Same thing when people get off on "socialism" or "capitalism." My first question is always: Okay, exactly what do you mean when you say something is socialist or capitalist? Nine times out of ten, what they are talking about isn't really socialism or capitalism.
The same could be said for skeptics and doubters too! I have no probelm with a serious, intelligent discussion, really on just about anything, but Ive seen topics, lets say on Bigfoot to keep it on topic for this forum and on this forum, go on for 15 pages because the 2 parties each think they are right. I especially dont like being told Im wrong about something I have seen or heard in my lifetime. It pizzes me off to no end. If someone doesnt ant to believe what I say, fine, but dont tell me Im wrong for what I beleive, or what I saw.
That's pretty difficult to determine if you're wrong. What someone should say is you're wanting to argue about this since there isn't any proof.
however, when it all boils down to the essence of it all, there ARE many many stories (yes, stories) where people have experienced the same or similar things. This needs to be acknowledged by science and investigated properly, but often it isn't. If it were properly investigated, there might well be further science which could be done and more things to find out.
I dont mind if science REALLY wants to find out more, but so often where UFOs are concerned, they are just people working for the government and dont really want to determine what is going on. Like Project Blue Book or other 'reports' released by the governments - they often are the result of an agenda which is not and which cannot be revealed.
Therefore the 'experiencers' have to do the 'science' themselves - however flawed it might be, it is at least the best we can do when the folks who should be doing it properly, are not.
I keep my skepticism to myself and don't start anything. I am a big believer in, ''Seeing is Believing''.
And I end up 'seeing'' that things really work or they really exist.
If someone else doesn't believe in 'it' -Ha, UFO's to Bach Flower Essences to God/Angles...Good for them - wait ---
one day they might have their own up-close and personal, direct exp.
I am not much of an admirer of Blind Faith.
Who cares if I'm secretly a skeptic or that they are ---it's when someone wants to get in your face and insult your
intelligence and change your mind, that it's bad news, imo.
(But, then again -Is it? You're the one that had a direct exp ---they were left out. Ha!)
Did you know Shark Cartilage capsules can actually reduce a tumor on your pet? Seeing is believing!
I keep my skepticism to myself and don't start anything. I am a big believer in, ''Seeing is Believing''.
And I end up 'seeing'' that things really work or they really exist.
If someone else doesn't believe in 'it' -Ha, UFO's to Bach Flower Essences to God/Angles...Good for them - wait ---
one day they might have their own up-close and personal, direct exp.
I am not much of an admirer of Blind Faith.
Who cares if I'm secretly a skeptic or that they are ---it's when someone wants to get in your face and insult your
intelligence and change your mind, that it's bad news, imo.
(But, then again -Is it? You're the one that had a direct exp ---they were left out. Ha!)
Did you know Shark Cartilage capsules can actually reduce a tumor on your pet? Seeing is believing!
I certainly respect that approach. I do like hearing about these experiences and discussing such things with people who do. One approach I've seen quite common and really why I started this thread is the reaction to say "that's but real" I think this reflects the person saying it more than what they are talking about.
I keep my skepticism to myself and don't start anything. I am a big believer in, ''Seeing is Believing''.
And I end up 'seeing'' that things really work or they really exist.
If someone else doesn't believe in 'it' -Ha, UFO's to Bach Flower Essences to God/Angles...Good for them - wait ---
one day they might have their own up-close and personal, direct exp.
I am not much of an admirer of Blind Faith.
Who cares if I'm secretly a skeptic or that they are ---it's when someone wants to get in your face and insult your
intelligence and change your mind, that it's bad news, imo.
(But, then again -Is it? You're the one that had a direct exp ---they were left out. Ha!)
Did you know Shark Cartilage capsules can actually reduce a tumor on your pet? Seeing is believing!
You said that so much more eloquently than I could have!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We need a more humble approach to knowledge: admitting that no one yet knows it all, and there are still things in the cosmos for us to figure out.
