Lexic.us

Definition of Skepticism

1. Noun. Doubt about the truth of something.

Definition of Skepticism

1. n. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.

Definition of Skepticism

1. Noun. (American English) The practice or philosophy of being a skeptic. ¹

2. Noun. (American English) A studied attitude of questioning and doubt ¹

3. Noun. (American English) The doctrine that absolute knowledge is not possible ¹

4. Noun. (American English) A methodology that starts from a neutral standpoint and aims to acquire certainty though scientific or logical observation. ¹

5. Noun. (American English) Doubt or disbelief of religious doctrines ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Skepticism

1. [n -S]

Medical Definition of Skepticism

1. 1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty. "That momentary amazement, and irresolution, and confusion, which is the result of skepticism." (Hune) 2. The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain; Pyrrohonism; universal doubt; the position that no fact or truth, however worthy of confidence, can be established on philosophical grounds; critical investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive assumption or assertion of certain principles. 3. A doubting of the truth of revelation, or a denial of the divine origin of the Christian religion, or of the being, perfections, or truth of God. "Let no . . . Secret skepticism lead any one to doubt whether this blessed prospect will be realized." (S. Miller) Origin: Cf. F. Scepticisme Alternative forms: scepticism. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Skepticism

Literary usage of Skepticism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Christian Examiner (1839)
"But after what has been said in the two last lectures on the subject of skepticism, I have thought it might be useful for us to give some consideration to ..."

2. The Field of Philosophy: An Introduction to the Study of Philosophy by Joseph Alexander Leighton (1919)
"After the days of Plato and Aristotle skepticism was developed in more systematic form. ... skepticism. skepticism literally means a thoughtful inquiry, ..."

3. The New International Encyclopædia edited by Daniel Coit Gilman, Harry Thurston Peck, Frank Moore Colby (1904)
"Gorgias even went further and argued that there is nothing (nihilism, qv) ; adding that if there were anything it could not be known (skepticism), ..."

4. The Christian Examiner and General Review edited by Francis Jenks, James Walker, Francis William Pitt Greenwood, William Ware (1839)
"I. — The skepticism of the Present Age : being a Translation of one of the Lectures of M. Jouffroy, in his Cours de Droit Naturel. ..."

5. A History of Philosophy by Frank Thilly (1914)
"A note of skepticism similar to that heard in nominalism and mysticism is found in a number of French thinkers of the Renaissance, who were influenced by ..."

6. A History of Philosophy by Frank Thilly (1914)
"PHILOSOPHY OF THE MIDDLE AGES A note of skepticism similar to that heard in nominalism and mysticism is found in a number of French thinkers of the ..."

7. Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern by Charles Dudley Warner (1896)
"What is philosophical skepticism ? It is a philosophical opinion which ... skepticism is not the enemy of any special school of philosophy, but of all. ..."

8. The Radical by Sidney H.. Morse, Joseph B.. Marvin (1871)
"THE word " skepticism " has a philosophical and a popular signification. ... This skepticism is as old as philosophy itself; but it reached its climax in ..."

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