Philosophy Now Forum

Peter Adamson on skepticism in the history of philosophy.

https://philosophynow.org/issues/121/Dont_Be_So_Sure

nice article, but I'm still skeptical that dogmatic doubt could ever be questioned...

-Imp

For all their diversity, these forms of skepticism do have one thing in common: all emerged as responses to what Sextus would call ‘dogmatic’ opponents. Skepticism is typically reactive, and often uses the tools of its opponents for its own purposes.

"The poison of skepticism becomes, like alcoholism, tuberculosis, and some other diseases, much more virulent in a hitherto virgin soil." - Simone Weil.

Intellectual skepticism expresses itself through healthy intellectual doubt. Simone is referring to something very damaging. She is referring to emotional skepticism. This is emotional denial which denies reason.

Secular intolerance is a good example of emotional skepticism. It is dogmatic in its denial of a reality greater than human society which become its opponent. It relies on the expression of negative emotion to deny the normal questions of the heart which are clearly beyond the limitations of the linear reason of collective society.

Additional facts often resolve intellectual skepticism but emotional skepticism requires a personal revelation only a few are fortunate enough to receive to get beyond ego defenses.

Intellectual skepticism expresses itself through healthy intellectual doubt. Simone is referring to something very damaging. She is referring to emotional skepticism. This is emotional denial which denies reason.

Theistic intolerance is a good example of emotional skepticism. It is dogmatic in its denial of a reality greater than human society which become its opponent. It relies on the expression of negative emotion to deny the normal questions of the heart which are clearly beyond the limitations of the linear reason of collective society.

Additional facts often resolve intellectual skepticism but emotional skepticism requires a personal revelation only a few are fortunate enough to receive to get beyond ego defenses.

Greta wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2017 11:37 pm Intellectual skepticism expresses itself through healthy intellectual doubt. Simone is referring to something very damaging. She is referring to emotional skepticism. This is emotional denial which denies reason.

Theistic intolerance is a good example of emotional skepticism. It is dogmatic in its denial of a reality greater than human society which become its opponent. It relies on the expression of negative emotion to deny the normal questions of the heart which are clearly beyond the limitations of the linear reason of collective society.

Additional facts often resolve intellectual skepticism but emotional skepticism requires a personal revelation only a few are fortunate enough to receive to get beyond ego defenses.

Theistic intolerance defends the idolatry of its god which is not in the world. Secular intolerance defends the idolatry of its god "The Great Beast" which is society itself in the world. Both are expressions of emotional skepticism.

Indeed. Nick. There is but one path in life, and that is yours. Everyone else is wrong.

Greta wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:18 am Indeed. Nick. There is but one path in life, and that is yours. Everyone else is wrong.

So stop complaining and get in line.