RAZD writes:
Equally, one should be aware of the pitfalls of pseudoscience (and the false types of arguments used) when it involves theistic and atheistic topics/arguments/positions, so that one can recognize them when they appear.
Well, indeed. Did you check the pages you've linked to?
RAZD writes:
The first step then, to promote a new age of reason, is to rid
oneself of false logic and pseudoskeptical and pseudoscientific arguments.
http://onegoodmove.org/fallacy/toc.htmhttp://usabig.com/autonomist/fallacies.html
One should become familiar with logical fallacies so that one can recognize them when they appear.
http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Pseudoskepticism
quote:
Pseudoskepticism - Definition
Pathological Skepticism is closedmindedness with deception: it is an irrational prejudice against new ideas which masquerades as proper Skepticism. A person under the sway of Pathological Skepticism will claim to support Reason and the scientific worldview while concealing their strongly negative emotional response against any questioning of contemporary accepted knowledge. The primary symptoms of Pathological Skepticism are the presence of scorn, sneering, and ridicule in place of reasoned debate. In their arguments, pseudoskeptics will freely employ logical fallacies, rhetoric, and numerous dishonest strategies of persuasion which are intended more sway an audience rather than to expose truth, i.e. than to pursue science. Because it promotes a falsely scientific facade, Pathological Skepticism is a class of pseudoscience.
Pseudoskepticism - Example Usage
- Kaviraj2: RT @onlinerepertory: Characteristics of pseudoskeptics (3) Assuming criticism requires no burden of proof - http://t.co/t1QJ7QS
- Kaviraj2: RT @postanes: Characteristics of pseudoskeptics (4) Presenting insufficient evidence or proof - http://t.co/GjiqvnW
- Talirman: Characteristics of pseudoskeptics (6) Counter-claims based on plausibility rather than empirical evidence - http://t.co/96WjaKH
- postanes: Characteristics of pseudoskeptics (4) Presenting insufficient evidence or proof - http://t.co/GjiqvnW
- OpenMinded2010: Characteristics of pseudoskeptics (5) Making unsubstantiated counter-claims - http://t.co/v7qJeRg
The "dictionary" link actually gives a definition for "Pathological Skepticism" rather than pseudoskeptism. "Pathological skepticism" is (like pseudoskepticism) a phrase thought to have been initially used by sociologist Marcello Truzzi. It's closely related to pseudoskepticism, but there are significant differences.
At the bottom of the "dictionary" page, there are five links which purport to give examples of current usage. You have dutifully copied and pasted these in the post I'm replying to.
All five link to the same page. This seems to be deliberate, and it's possible that the site owner might be a volunteer author for the "dictionary". Here's the page linked to:
http://t.co/t1QJ7QS
It is a pseudoscience website. Look around, and we can find a piece by the owner telling us how irreducible complexity has destroyed Darwinism. "Pseudoskeptics", to the author, are scientists who are skeptical of such wonderful "new" scientific ideas. This is hardly what Truzzi mean't.
The site's bull, and you should have checked it and spotted this.
On a different but related note:
RAZD writes:
One should become familiar with pseudoskepticism (and the false types of arguments used) so that one can recognize it when it appears.
Here are Truzzi's main points about the approach that he wanted to call pseudoskepticism:
quote:
1) The tendency to deny, rather than doubt
2) Double standards in the application of criticism
3) Tendency to discredit, rather than investigate
4) Presenting insufficient evidence or proof
5) Assuming criticism requires no burden of proof
6) Making unsubstantiated counter-claims
7) Counter-claims based on plausibility rather than empirical evidence
8) Suggesting that unconvincing evidence is grounds for completely dismissing a claim
For those wishing to follow RAZD's advice above, and familiarize themselves with "pseudoskepticism" (and also for those who enjoy a good ironic laugh), I'd recommend bearing those 8 points in mind, and starting
here.
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