With regard to statements, hypotheses, theories, and ideologies examined by the Skeptics Society, the organization adopts the view of the 17th-century Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza:
"I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them."
With regard to its procedure of examination of all claims, the Skeptics Society uses the scientific method first developed in the 16th and 17th centuries. While it recognizes the limitations and socio-cultural influences on science, it adopts the philosophy of Albert Einstein:
"All our science, measured against reality, is primitive and childlike— and yet it is the most precious thing we have."
... What does it mean to be a skeptic? Some people believe that skepticism is rejection of new ideas, or worse, they confuse “skeptic” with “cynic” and think that skeptics are a bunch of grumpy curmudgeons unwilling to accept any claim that challenges the status quo. This is wrong. Skepticism is a provisional approach to claims. It is the application of reason to any and all ideas—no sacred cows allowed. In other words, skepticism is a method, not a position. ... Skepticism has a long historical tradition dating back to ancient Greece when Socrates observed: “All I know is that I know nothing.” But this pure position is sterile and unproductive and held by virtually no one. [cept this fruitbat; and it's only unproductive if you act based on that belief] If you are skeptical about everything, you would have to be skeptical of your own skepticism. [Well, duh...] Like the decaying subatomic particle, pure skepticism uncoils and spins off the viewing screen of our intellectual cloud chamber. [of course, if you're that particle or its offspring, the rest of the universe is an 'observer' of you]
... Humans evolved to be pattern-seeking, cause-inferring animals, shaped by nature to find meaningful relationships in the world. Those who were best at doing this left behind the most offspring. We are their descendents.
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Hmmm... not sure I agree with the first sentence. I'd agree with the second sentence, though.
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