skepticism

skep·ti·cism also scep·ti·cism  (skpt-szm)

n.

1. A doubting or questioning attitude or state of mind; dubiety. See Synonyms at uncertainty.

2. Philosophy

a. The ancient school of Pyrrho of Elis that stressed the uncertainty of our beliefs in order to oppose dogmatism.

b. The doctrine that absolute knowledge is impossible, either in a particular domain or in general.

c. A methodology based on an assumption of doubt with the aim of acquiring approximate or relative certainty.

3. Doubt or disbelief of religious tenets.

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skepticism, scepticism

a personal disposition toward doubt or incredulity of facts, persons, or institutions. See also 312. PHILOSOPHY. — skeptic, n., adj. — skeptical, adj.

See also: Attitudes

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the doctrines or opinions of philosophical Skeptics, especially the doctrine that a true knowledge of things is impossible or that all knowledge is uncertain. Cf. Pyrrhonism. — Skeptic, Sceptic, n.

See also: Philosophy

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	skepticism - doubt about the truth of something   disbelief, incredulity, mental rejection doubt, doubtfulness, dubiety, dubiousness, incertitude, uncertainty - the state of being unsure of something
	2.	skepticism - the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge scepticism, agnosticism unbelief, disbelief - a rejection of belief