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I'm confused then -- why, in terms of correct vs. incorrect outcomes, does skepticism work out so well for those trained in the methods of science, but so poorl

• TeMPOraL 12y ago
  Because you can't just say "I'm sceptical" and expect to magically arrive to the correct conclusion. You have to know exactly why you're sceptical about something. Being "trained in the methods of science" gives you mental habits of analyzing known facts and conclusions instead of just doubting anything which you don't like.
  • mfisher87 12y ago
    >Because you can't just say "I'm sceptical" and expect to magically arrive to the correct conclusion. Yes. The idea that "the worldview based on science alone has reaped what it has sown," seems a little silly in this context, as skepticism by itself is not what science promotes. If the skepticism was rooted in science, we might see many other beneficial behaviors associated with scientific method accompanying the skepticism. But we don't, indicating (to your point) that the skepticism stems from distrust for authorities in general, not from middle-school chemistry classes.