Authors :
Sujay Rao Mandavilli
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/2pu4nzsr
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/4rcpbx82
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24MAY2271
Abstract :
We begin this paper by attempting to define
what skepticism is. We also attempt to define other
related and allied concepts such as skeptopathy,
pathological skepticism, and pseudo-skepticism, and
compare and contrast all these different concepts. We also
present the various thoughts and opinions of different
thinkers on all these issues, and also attempt to explain
how thoughts related to these issues evolved through the
ages. We therefore begin right from the Ancient Greeks,
on to Ancient Rome, the medieval period, the renaissance
period, the enlightenment period, and then proceed to the
modern period. We propose how an ideal sweet spot can
be accomplished and attained based on the quantum and
the quality of scientific output, the opportunity loss, the
quantum of pseudo-science or bad science generated in
the process of scientific study. Last but not the least, we
make a valiant attempt to reconcile the different concepts
in this paper with the concepts proposed in our earlier
papers as applicable so that meaningful extensions and
additions can be made, and further takeaways added. We
also emphasize the need for generating a wider awareness
on this issue, all in the interests of good science, and make
it central to scientific methodology and debate. Needless,
to say, it will need to be taught in schools, colleges and
universities at the appropriate level so that students
appreciate and understand all dimensions of the issue.
References :
[1] Butchvarov, Panayot (1998). Skepticism About the External World. Oxford University Press.
[2] Keeton, Morris T. (1962). "skepticism". In Runes, Dagobert D. (ed.). Dictionary of Philosophy. Totowa, N.J.: Littlefield, Adams, and Company. pp. 277–278
[3] Wilson, Richard (2009). Don't Get Fooled Again: A Sceptic's Handbook. Icon. ISBN 978-1848310520.
[4] Hellenistic Philosophy: Stoics, Epicureans, Sceptics. Bloomsbury Academic
[5] Warren, James (2002). Epicurus and Democritean ethics: An archaeology of ataraxia. Cambridge University Press
[6] McEvilley, Thomas (2002). The Shape of Ancient Thought. Allworth Communications.
[7] Tad M. Schmaltz, Radical Cartesianism: The French Reception of Descartes, Cambridge University Press
[8] Hume, David (1993). "A Kind of History of My Life". In Norton, David Fate (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to Hume
We begin this paper by attempting to define
what skepticism is. We also attempt to define other
related and allied concepts such as skeptopathy,
pathological skepticism, and pseudo-skepticism, and
compare and contrast all these different concepts. We also
present the various thoughts and opinions of different
thinkers on all these issues, and also attempt to explain
how thoughts related to these issues evolved through the
ages. We therefore begin right from the Ancient Greeks,
on to Ancient Rome, the medieval period, the renaissance
period, the enlightenment period, and then proceed to the
modern period. We propose how an ideal sweet spot can
be accomplished and attained based on the quantum and
the quality of scientific output, the opportunity loss, the
quantum of pseudo-science or bad science generated in
the process of scientific study. Last but not the least, we
make a valiant attempt to reconcile the different concepts
in this paper with the concepts proposed in our earlier
papers as applicable so that meaningful extensions and
additions can be made, and further takeaways added. We
also emphasize the need for generating a wider awareness
on this issue, all in the interests of good science, and make
it central to scientific methodology and debate. Needless,
to say, it will need to be taught in schools, colleges and
universities at the appropriate level so that students
appreciate and understand all dimensions of the issue.
