Hypertext Webster Gateway: "skepticism"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Skepticism \Skep"ti*cism\, n. [Cf. F. scepticisme.] [Written
also {scepticism}.]
1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.

That momentary amazement, and irresolution, and
confusion, which is the result of skepticism.
--Hune.

2. (Metaph.) 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.

3. (Theol.) A doubting of the truth of revelation, or a
denial of the divine origin of the Christian religion, or
of the being, perfections, or truth of God.

Let no . . . secret skepticism lead any one to doubt
whether this blessed prospect will be realized. --S.
Miller.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

skepticism
n 1: doubt about the truth of something [syn: {incredulity}, {disbelief},
{mental rejection}]
2: the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge [syn: {agnosticism},
{scepticism}]


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