The Importance of Skepticism

When it comes to critical thinking, one might assume that skepticism is kind of a no-brainer. And one would be right (in my opinion, anyway). What I think is interesting is how often skepticism is perceived to conflict with open-mindedness. First, let’s look at what skepticism means, then the importance of skepticism in relation to other critical thinking skills.

PS: I wrote skepticism so many times in this post, that its starting to look really, really weird.

What is Skepticism, Really?

Skepticism has a couple of meanings. The first, pretty straight-forward, is “doubt as to the truth of something”. So when someone tells you something, if you don’t believe it right away, you are treating it with skepticism. So thinking back to the critical thinking skills we talked about in week one, in one respect, someone who doesn’t believe anything might be confused with someone who is not open-minded.

But consider this: another meaning of skepticism is the philosophy that certain knowledge is impossible. In other words, the idea that anyone can know anything for sure is impossible. So in that respect, skepticism is like, the ultimate in open-mindedness. A true skeptic may disbelieve something not because they refuse to consider the truth, but because they believe nothing can be known for sure.

Can You Be Skeptical and Open-Minded?

I think people get confused with open-mindedness, and therefore skepticism, because they think being open-minded means believing everything. Instead, I believe that being open-minded is accepting that others believe differently than I do, and being open to considering other points of view. It doesn’t mean I have to believe the same thing. Therefore, I don’t see a conflict between open-mindedness and skepticism.

Here’s an example I came across in an article I linked last week, called “The Problem With Being Too Open-Minded“, by Steven Novella. In it, he talks about how the sometimes-fantastical beliefs held by others are many times justified by the idea that you have to “keep an open mind”. In his example, someone who believes that humans were transplanted here by our alien forebears justifies this belief by saying, “You have to keep an open mind”.

Now, I read a lot of science fiction. A LOT. But even I have a hard time swallowing that given all the scientific evidence of evolution, humans were just dropped off here by aliens. I guess it’s possible I’m wrong. Given the facts I have access to, however, I’m comfortable holding the opinion that humans were not, in fact, deposited on earth millennia ago by aliens.

And Why is it Important?

Skepticism is what allows us the space to investigate before taking action or making a decision. When we treat what we hear with skepticism, that gives us the necessary pause to gather more information, process what we’re hearing, and to form a more balanced opinion.

I’m not sure that you have to be a total skeptic in order to be a critical thinker. I think you just need to apply a certain degree of skepticism to what you hear and are told by others. However, in real life, whether it’s work or home, at some point we need to make a decision and move on. If we’re stuck in the idea that we can never know the truth for sure, then we may become paralyzed by the unknown.

So when it comes to critical thinking and skepticism, I say apply a healthy dose of skepticism to what you’re learning and hearing, but be careful that you don’t get stuck. Eventually, you have to make a judgement of what is most likely, or what the right direction is, and move on from there.

Let’s Get Skeptical!

So how do you apply enough skepticism but not too much?

1. Avoid taking things at face value.

When someone tells you something, you’re influenced by your own opinions, experiences, and even your level of trust with the person or entity that is giving you information. You are more likely to believe what you hear when your opinions and experiences align with what you’re being told. If you trust the person giving you information, you may also be more likely to trust the information itself. Be mindful of this, and remember that even if what you’re hearing is what you want to hear or want to believe, you should still be a little skeptical until you learn more.

2. Ask questions.

Heather talked about this in last Friday’s post. You have to ask questions to learn more. You can also ask questions to challenge what you’re hearing, or just find out more facts. Learn about the motivations of the person telling you information. Learn the facts related to what you’re being told, and do your best to separate fact from opinion. Do your research. Ask yourself questions – interrogate your own reality. Don’t just ask questions, ask probing questions. Get to the bottom of the issue, or the root of the problem.

3. Suspend judgement.

My husband teases me sometimes because when we watch a movie, I sometimes have a hard time getting into it. I sometimes laugh or make fun of it because it seems so ridiculous. At times like those, he reminds me that I need to practice suspending my disbelief. When it comes to skepticism and critical thinking, though, I firmly believe you need to suspend judgement (including automatic belief or disbelief in something). Really try not to form a firm judgement until you have more information.

4. Be willing to form an opinion (eventually).

Call it a “working theory” if that makes you feel most comfortable. The point is, collect facts before forming an opinion or making a decision, but eventually, make one. Suspending judgement is all very well, but not indefinitely. Get comfortable with the idea that you’ll never know everything. Collect the information you have, and know when enough is enough to go on with.

5. Be willing to revise.

Just because you settle on an opinion and make a decision, it doesn’t mean it will always be the right one. New information may come along. You may need to change direction. Be willing to continue investigating and finding new information, and practice being flexible enough to change your opinions if new, compelling evidence is presented.

It’s Not Personal

The last point I’d like to make as I wrap up is that being skeptical is not necessarily a judgement on a person. If someone treats something you tell them skeptically, it’s not always because they don’t trust you or what you’re telling them. Likewise when you are skeptical about what someone else is telling you. You will be influenced by your level of trust in the person telling you things. However, you’re not doing them or you any favors by automatically believing what they tell you. If you investigate and still arrive at the same opinion, great. If you challenge what you’re hearing and form a different opinion, that’s okay too.

Ideas take root because people are willing to believe them, and believe in them. This can be good or bad. Just because something is widely held or believed to be true doesn’t automatically make it true. It doesn’t make it untrue, either. Be willing to investigate, interrogate, then arrive at your opinion in your own time, according to your own values and beliefs.

What’s your thoughts? Something I missed? Do you have an alternative viewpoint? Share in comments!