Skepticism Argumentative Essay

Over the years, Skepticism has earned a negative reputation. Mainly because of the people who questioned human role in global warming. However skepticism is a crucial part in sciences and other disciplines as it questions knowledge claims and their validity. Skepticism helps the general public sift information; separate the proven facts from the baseless claims.
The definition of skepticism according to Merriam Webster Dictionary is “the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain” (Merriam Webster online dictionary, 2014). Skepticism began in ancient Greece, the earliest skeptics were called Pyrrhonists. Modern Skepticism is more scientific, it is embodied in research. It is about gathering data and testing claims. A claim becomes a fact only when it is confirmed by investigation and observation. This doesn’t mean that skeptics don’t believe anything at all. They just need a reason to believe.

Some people question things just because something doesn’t fit into their belief system. This is the opposite of being open minded and accepting. An example are the global warming skeptics. Global Warming skeptics question evidence that is provided and proven and accepted widely across the scientific community. Arguments made by the skeptics are superficial and are not rooted in evidence or proof. They refuse to believe in the evidence provided which makes them more cynics than skeptics. One such argument is that Global warming is a natural change like Ice Age. This claim has been refuted several times with proof which shows that the rate of increase in temperature is much more rapid than the rate of natural change. However the skeptics refuse to accept the evidence. They also don’t provide an alternative theory or an explanation for not agreeing. Skepticism can often be taken to extremes like in the example of global warming skeptics as there is a fine line between skepticism and