by Elizebeth Turnquist
While I easily identify as a skeptic, I’m often reticent to identify myself as a part of the skeptical movement. If the definition of skepticism is “the promotion of critical thinking” then it’s natural for me to identify as a skeptic. On the other hand, if the definition of skepticism is the “debunking of woo” or “promotion of scientific facts” then I support those things but I’m not as passionate about them.
I’ve pretty much always been an atheist. It’s in my nature to think fantasy is best kept on the pages of the novels I read. Critical thinking is just a part of my life. But the idea of getting political about skepticism makes me feel like I’m trying to force my natural inclination onto the rest of the world.
Except for the part about “critical thinking.” I can totally get on board with the idea of promoting critical thinking because I see that tool being useful to a broad range of people. Even if those people don’t agree with the political positions that I believe in, I think their is value in people seeking a balanced point of view.
In it’s everyday use, critical thinking can include…
Being your own journalist.
These days, the news doesn’t really encourage critical discussion of topics. I don’t know what happened to objective journalism but it seems to have waned in the wake of the Internet and the 24-hour news cycle.
In order to get a balanced view of what’s going on in the world, you have to be willing to get your information from more than once source. Sometimes you even have to do a little digging.
I blog and I appreciate people that have opinions…but opinions are the last thing I expect from the news. It seems the only option left to us critical thinkers is to make the “objective” part of journalism happen on our own.
Being an informed consumer.
I use the term “informed consumer” almost synonymously with “critical thinking.” They’re not exactly the same but they both tell us to “be informed,” “don’t get swindled,” don’t take what you’re told at face value.”
When time or money is involved, it’s important to have all the facts. To be a little skeptical. You get together all the information available so you can make the best possible choice.
Sometimes being an informed consumer includes a bit of debunking. It can behoove us to be downright disbelieving of advertisements until we have the facts to prove or disprove a claim.
Being able to fully support your opinions.
Critical thinking can be mistakenly presented as a route to find the one and only TRUTH. When, in reality, I think it’s more about finding out if there is “adequate justification to accept the conclusion as true.”*
There are opinions in science and academia. Even when you have all the available “facts” there can be different interpretations of what those facts mean. The best thing we can do, when dealing with opinions, is be able to thoroughly support our argument.
Some opinions can be flawed because they include logical fallacies and the role of skepticism is to encourage us in examining the information as objectively as possible. Denialism is different than skepticism, in that a denialist ignores that there is more compelling evidence available.
In conclusion…
I love science and learning…for my own enjoyment. Debunking is also awesomely entertaining. But I’m more invested in promoting the side of skepticism that is about critical thinking, than the political positions of the skepticism movement.
Am I not a REAL skeptic? I don’t know. Not sure I care whether others are willing to include me in their definition of skepticism. It’s just part of who I am. And I’m not going to change just because I don’t fit in.
*Wiki :
Skepticisms, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skepticism
Critical Thinking, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking
Denialism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denialism
Informed Consumer, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consumer
I think that skepticism has room for people just like you. Which is coincidentally a lot like me. We’re not all neurologists or rocket scientists or astronomers (or even magicians). Some of us are just regular people: writers, engineers, artists, sales people, mothers, teachers, firemen, soldiers, etc. It doesn’t change the fact that we approach the world from a rational viewpoint, which is what (to me) being a skeptic means.
Great post, Elizebeth! Can’t wait to meet you at Dragon*Con. Also? I’m totally buying that teeshirt. :-)
Dammit. The Interwebz apparently is only selling that shirt in size “small” these days. Grr.
Kelley -
I’m also looking forward to meeting you!
It would be nice to be included, even if I’m only at the fringes of the movement, since it’s such a big part of my life! Most of my favorite people are active in the movement, starting with my husband.
I have been thinking for awhile that the “movement” is a bit heavy with scientists. I personally like the inclusion of skilled educators – like Kylie Sturgess, and Dr Karen Stollznow ( and other less well known but active skeptics who will forgive me for not mentioning them) and would like to see a broader range of skeptical experts because it gives the broader community a touch stone.
I usually define myself as a big S skeptic as opposed to someone who is skeptical. The former tries to apply skepticism to every part of their life the later chooses to limit their skepticism.
Elizabeth, you are the definition of a “real” skeptic. Very nice piece.
Great post.
I think that someone who promotes critical thinking is more of a skeptic than someone who just promotes whatever positions the skeptic movement is embracing at any given moment (though hopefully skeptics use those positions as a starting point for teaching critical thinking). If you haven’t got the tools to evaluate the positions, are you really skeptic if you support them?
Regarding being part of the skeptic movement, I think it is pretty much in the eye of the beholder. I don’t really consider myself part of the skeptic movement, since I have limited interaction with skeptics in meat-space. Still, I know many people would consider me part of it (and objectively speaking, I think I probably am).
I don’t think that there are as many scientists in the skeptic movement as you might think. I find that I am in the minority (as a scientist) at almost all the skeptic meetings I attend.
Until I started following some skeptics on twitter, I was note even aware that there was something called the “skeptic movement”. I thought critical thinking was simply a way of life. Being a skeptic is just something you are. It does not have a political platform.
Sean -
I can’t even say I’m a “skilled educator.” I’m an aspiring writer and a fat activist. I am one of those “amateur skeptics” that is sometimes dismissed becasue I don’t have any kind of science degree.
I feel like I understand all the medical journals I peruse. I’m think critically about my opinions, political or otherwise. But if the test of a “real skeptic” is having some sort of a degree, then I will always fail.
I suppose I could embrace the title “amateur skeptic.” It can be a sign of defiance that I dare hold opinions on topics with which I am only self-educated.
badrescher – Thanks!
Kristjan Wager – It’s an interesting question…is the skeptical movement defined by it’s political positions or by it’s desire to propagate critical thinking? I lean towards the later becasue that how I’d prefer the movement to be defined.
Lisa – That’s my experience. Most of the people I know within the movement are geeks that like sceince, not actual scientists.
PJ – “I thought critical thinking was simply a way of life.” Totally on the same page with you!