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2 posters

    Chris Jenson Romer

    Kitkat
    Kitkat
    Kitkat

    • Post n°1

    Chris Jenson Romer Empty Chris Jenson Romer

    Post by Kitkat Tue 02 Apr 2013, 12:48

    Latest from CJ's Blog:


    Latest from CJ Romer's Blog:

    Is it time to give up on "Skepticism"?

    So seriously, this whole skeptic thing, it has got so much baggage attached. Stuff it. You find great papers and poor papers in the journals, and whether written by sceptics or believers is irrelevant. Evidence and sound analysis — good science – is what matters at the end of the day.
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    Umberto Cocopop
    Umberto Cocopop
    Umberto Cocopop

    • Post n°2

    Chris Jenson Romer Empty Re: Chris Jenson Romer

    Post by Umberto Cocopop Mon 15 Apr 2013, 12:35

    The term 'skeptic' has a lot of problems.

    The first is that it has no accepted definition - or it has too many. As CJ points out, even among so-called skeptics, they don't have an accepted definition. Many are indeed the a priori type who've made their minds up and just attack anyone who disagrees with them - the Randi/JREF inspired skeptics being a good example.

    Another is the parochial nature of their collective mindset. They probably don't realise it, but there's a very strong 'group mentality' amongst skeptics. They don't listen to criticism, for example, they simply become hostile to it and shun anyone who dares. Of course, this is the exact opposite of what skepticism is supposedly about.

    CJ's main thesis, however, is that skepticism is meant to be a methodological approach to claims and that this is pretty much the same as what is termed 'scientific thinking'. I agree with that. That is what it's supposed to be and as such, it's really a redundant term.

    That wouldn't matter if skeptics actually were 'scientific thinkers' who practised the methodology properly; but they clearly don't.

    Perhaps 'skeptic' is a useful label after all. It may serve as a useful guide to the type of person you're dealing with or, at least, the sort of mindset they identify with.
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