To err is human, and part of skepticism

 

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John Kreb posted an article today on skepticism and how science is self correcting. The article discusses how science is, at its core, the very definition and application of skepticism.
John discuses the history of the scientific method, and its modern roots that are steeped in the worldview of treating the assertions of anyone, even supposed experts, with healthy critical thought.
He then goes on to discuss how climate science both succeeds and fails crutial tests of critical thinking, how scientist are imperfect practioners of critical thinking, and how the general public has issues where their skepticism is based on mistrust and ignorance of a process rather than a search for the truth.

The article is a very interesting read, and impels me to re post a list of what I believe skepticism is and is not.

• Skepticism does NOT mean being correct.
• Skepticism is asking questions, and looking for evidence rather than blindly accepting what one is told.
• Skepticism will not always lead one directly to the right answer to any question, be it scientific, moral, political or what not.
• Skepticism does not constrain one to stating an opinion only if one is right.
• Skepticism allows one to change their mind in the face of evidence, not in the face of browbeating, political pressure or snarky comments and ridicule.
• Skepticism is not being afraid to ask stupid questions, and not being afraid to seem stupid to others while asking them.
• Skepticism about a topic does not require you to be an expert in that topic. 
• Skepticism does not require a "science degree"
• Skepticism is not denial-ism.