skepticism
/ˈskɛp.tɪˌsɪ.zəm/ noun
Forms skepticisms scepticism
- noun (philosophy) The practice or philosophy of being a skeptic.
- noun (philosophy) A studied attitude of questioning and doubt.
- noun (philosophy) The doctrine that absolute knowledge is not possible.
- noun A methodology that starts from a neutral standpoint and aims to acquire certainty through scientific or logical observation.
- noun Doubt or disbelief of religious doctrines.
Synonyms
incredulity disbelief mental rejection agnosticism scepticism
Etymology
From New Latin scepticismus; equivalent to skeptic + -ism.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.
- noun 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.
Etymology [Cf. F. scepticisme.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “skepticism”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details