On 05/18/2016 07:06 PM, Robert Wall wrote: > Yikes! Skeptic-on-skeptic fight! This linked article you bring Glen begs an > interesting question: When does a skeptic just become just a contrarian? I > mean, what do skeptics publish but skepticism and critiques contrary to the > topic at hand? Are they obliged, as Dr. Steven Novella insists, on presenting > a fair and balanced position ... like with /Fox News/? Is that the nature of > their craft? Or is that left up to the reader?
Heh, Fox News' "fair and balanced" is an obvious lie. So, definitely the answer to that trolling question is "No, not like Fox News." 8^) But I'm on Novella's side in this case. Skepticism is quite distinct from both denialism and contrarianism. (And I am more contrarian than skeptic... so I'm allowed to disrespect contrarians.) All 3 are useful. I find denialism useful for short-circuiting ad infinitum or analysis paralysis. Sometimes it's wiser to simply cut the line and call it a day. Contrarianism is an extension of proof by contradiction. Sometimes it's the only way to puncture a thick web of established reasoning. This is especially true when examining my own actions. But skepticism is a much more difficult, disciplined behavior. The skeptic has to really learn the topic at hand in order to know where the weak parts are. Skeptics often seem like they've completely bought in because their discipline dictates that they get deep into the subject. If someone _begins_ a conversation by disagreeing with you, then that person is NOT a skeptic. They're a contrarian. It's not impossible for an outsider to be a skeptic. But you have to be either brilliant or multi-talented to do that. And most of all, you have to realize and admit you're ignorance ... which is difficult for anyone. For me, I tend to be a skeptic in my own field (modeling & simulation) and a contrarian outside it. -- ⛧ glen ============================================================ FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com
