Scientific skepticism

Skepticism is the theory that people have either no knowledge, or very little knowledge. In this essay I will discuss one particular type of type of skepticism, called “brain-in-a-vat” skepticism, which denies that we can know whether the external world (anything outside our minds) exists as we think it does. I will examine two attacks that have been made on this sort of skepticism, and argue that both fail to defeat it. The brain-in-a-vat skeptic argues that no person knows that his/her body,…

G.E. Moore addresses the idea of philosophical skepticism. His counter argument implements the use of common sense and the idea of a premise that requires no proof as it is "known" to be true. However this means that Moore begs the question when he arrives at his conclusion. Moore explains he can rigorously prove the existence of two hands, by simply holding up his two hands. He mentions that as he makes a certain gesture saying "Here is one hand" (G.E Moore 197) and then by simply mentioning…

As we turn to the issue of atheism, I believe some framework is necessary. Atheism is typically defined as a lack of belief in God and it is in the definition of God that the issue arises. Clearly, the two philosophers have a different definition of the word God. As hopefully made clear in the second and third paragraph, Spinoza thinks that God is an impersonal summation of all things (i.e. substance), while Berkeley thinks that God is a personal, thinking thing responsible for but distinct from…

In this essay, I will show that Derek Parfit is wrong to think that without perfectionism we cannot avoid the repugnant conclusion. My first step in defending this thesis will be to review Parfit’s argument on the repugnant conclusion and the way perfectionism helps us avoid it. I will then try to undermine his view by showing it supports implausible claims. For example, the premise of Parfit’s argument is that perfectionism does provide a full means of avoiding the repugnant conclusion. However…

As you walk into a house you are confronted by one person who believes that “It’s wrong for a host not to offer a gift (beyond refreshments) to a visitor,” and another who believes that “No! It’s not wrong for a host not to offer a gift (beyond refreshments) to a visitor.” From an individual who has studied Harman’s belief in “moral judgement relativism,” and Ayer’s “expressivism,” it is important we understand why both philosophers’ views cannot make sense of this exchange. For context, Gilbert…

Hypothetical Example of Common Sense vs. Skepticism Common sense can be described as trusting our senses and accepting what we know as knowledge. Skepticism is nearly the opposite and can be described as questioning or doubting unempirical knowledge, beliefs, or opinions stated as facts and refrains from claims of truth or knowledge. Skepticism, however, does not state that truth or knowledge is impossible. The difference between these two philosophical ideas can be seen in examples of…

Romain Rolland, a brilliant French novelist stated the following: “Skepticism, riddling the faith of yesterday, prepared the way for the faith of tomorrow.” One may be doubtful with their current endeavors at first, however, being skeptical is the first step towards one’s future. I am going to take you through the journey of my current internship and enlighten you on why my skepticism turned into an implausible future career for myself. In November of 2015, I received a job at Transamerica,…

of bias when conducting research. Optimistically, they are the experts and masters of their fields, but we should never fully trust in scientific theories to be fact. Over the past hundred years, we have come to know that many studies that were seen as reputable and unwavering are now debunked. With this realization in mind going forward consumers of scientific studies should be wary of being initially accepting of theories. Keeping in mind that reputable institutes screen their scientists…

leader of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence..." (Scoles). Tarter, and fellow SETI (search for extraterrestrial intelligence) scientist, faced skepticism and budget cuts, nevertheless, she never let the champion for SETI science to end in failure.Tarter faced skepticism…

The Enlightenment period was disastrous for the Church, as skepticism rose in the scientific community; the ecclesiastics struggled to explain the inconsistencies in the doctrines of Christianity and its many diverging theories. Under the fire of the Enlightenment, the Devil lost all credibility and almost disappeared as progress were made in multiple fields of science; to cope with the rising skepticism, Christianity had to adapt and change its outdated traditions which ultimately was more…