cynicism and skepticism? (reject, beliefs, paranormal, philosophy, Article)

[Dinogrrl]

Okay, I'm not sure if they're technically philosophies or not...but anyway...

I'm trying to find out details on these two views. I know they're somehow related, but different things. One of my housemates is a skeptic, and I'm really not fond of what I've seen of that thinking system, but for some reason, I've found myself associating 'cynical, but optimistic, realist' with my own thoughts. However...I'm not even sure what the term 'cynicist' or 'cynic' or 'cynicism' really entail.

Trouble is, I really have no idea on where to start looking for information on these two things. Help?

[KirbyFan101]

A cynic: Is critical of others.

A skeptic: is a person who doubts all things unproven. They question mainstream beliefs, and paranormal issues.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Dinogrrl

I know they're somehow related, but different things.

I do not believe that to be true.

[Ori]

Originally Posted by Deut. 32.8

I do not believe that to be true.

Better to be a skeptical cynicist, yes?

[michel]

Cynic:- faultfinding captious critic; especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest
- cynic adjective (otherwise defined by Oscar Wilde ) as a person who knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing)

Optimist : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome

Realist: concern for fact or reality and rejection of the impractical and visionary


Hi Dynogrrl;

I can sympathise with your confusion..........

I hope the above definitions help you decide what you are ! - if that is what you are trying to do. The confusion really does get into it's own when people use the definitions at the same time, to compose a composite - ie 'cynical, but optimistic, realist' is someone (going by the above definitions that I have 'chosen' because they are not the only ones) to be someone who, although he believes that actions are only ever comitted for self-interest, still hopes for the best outcome, whilst not allowing himself to believe in something abstract.......

I Think......I must admit that it is not easy to grasp..... If you really want to make matters worse, I believe that a cynic is a pessimist realist....

[Mr Spinkles]

Dinogirl-- Cynicism and skepticism are two very different things. Skepticism, as a philosophy, is the view that claims are to be doubted unless and until there is proper evidence to support them. Like the adherants of any philosophy, skeptics can be pleasant, unpleasant; happy, unhappy; pessimistic, or optimistic.

The following link is a very good article on skepticism (as a philosophy) and it is also part of a great skeptic's resource: http://www.skepdic.com/skepticism.html

[Dinogrrl]

Okay, well...I think I'm jsut about as clearly confused as before ;. But thanks everyone for giving me pointers.

[Maxist]

Skeptsism in the beleif that things, anything cannot be proven, nor does scientific or mathematical proof prove any of it.

[Seyorni]

Skepticism:
http://www.molloy.edu/academic/philo...s/cynicism.htm

Cynicism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophical_skepticism