scepticism

scepticism
   Scepticism is the denial of knowledge. It can be held globally, as a denial that anyone (or anyone apart from God) knows anything at all, or locally, concerning a particular subject matter, such as the existence of God. Scepticism does not imply non-realism; the sceptic concerning God does not have to affirm that God does not exist. A strong version of scepticism is Pyrrhonian scepticism, which not only denies knowledge but also recommends suspension of belief wherever possible. It is said that Cratylus (fl. c. 400 bce) took this so far that he even refused to use words at all, communicating by wagging his finger. While some Christian philosophers (for example, Pierre Bayle) have been led by sceptical concerns to embrace fideism, most have resisted scepticism not only concerning God but also in other areas, holding that one of the aspects in which humans are made in the image of God is that they have knowledge.
   See fideism
   Further reading: Hester 1992; Penelhum 1983; Popkin 2003

Christian Philosophy . . 2015.

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  • Scepticism — • Etymology of the word based on a Greek term meaning speculation, doubt Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Scepticism     Scepticism      …   Catholic encyclopedia

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  • scepticism — (BrE) (AmE skepticism) noun ADJECTIVE ▪ considerable, deep, extreme, great ▪ healthy ▪ growing ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • scepticism — (Gk., skepsis, enquiry or questioning) Although Greek scepticism centred on the value of enquiry and questioning, scepticism is now the denial that knowledge or even rational belief is possible, either about some specific subject matter (e.g.… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • scepticism — n. BE; AE spelling: skepticism 1) to demonstrate, display scepticism 2) to maintain (a) scepticism 3) scepticism about (to maintain a healthy scepticism about smt.) 4) (misc.) an air of scepticism * * * display scepticism see skepticism (misc.)… …   Combinatory dictionary

  • scepticism — [[t]ske̱ptɪsɪzəm[/t]] N UNCOUNT Scepticism is great doubt about whether something is true or useful. There was also considerable scepticism about the Chancellor s forecast of a booming economy next year... The report has inevitably been greeted… …   English dictionary

  • Scepticism — Sceptic Scep tic, Sceptical Scep tic*al, Scepticism Scep ti*cism, etc. See {Skeptic}, {Skeptical}, {Skepticism}, etc. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scepticism — Skepticism Skep ti*cism, n. [Cf. F. scepticisme.] [Written also {scepticism}.] 1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty. [1913 Webster] That momentary amazement, and irresolution, and confusion, which is the result of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scepticism — BrE, skepticism AmE noun (U) a sceptical attitude: The government s claim that the country is now coming out of recession is being treated with deep scepticism …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • scepticism — UK [ˈskeptɪˌsɪz(ə)m] / US [ˈskeptɪˌsɪzəm] noun [uncountable] doubts that someone has about something that other people think is true or right She treated this statement with a healthy degree of scepticism …   English dictionary

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