Global Skepticism

Definition

Global skepticism is the philosophical position that questions the possibility of certain knowledge across all domains. This perspective challenges the idea that we can have justified beliefs about the world, asserting that human perception and reasoning are inherently flawed, leading to doubts about everything from the existence of the external world to the reliability of our senses and cognitive faculties.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Global skepticism asserts that it is impossible to have true knowledge or justified beliefs about anything, creating a pervasive doubt about all forms of understanding.
2. This position contrasts with local skepticism, which only questions specific areas or claims of knowledge rather than all knowledge overall.
3. Philosophers like Descartes addressed global skepticism by attempting to establish a secure foundation for knowledge, famously stating 'I think, therefore I am' as a fundamental certainty.
4. Global skepticism raises significant challenges for epistemologists who seek to justify beliefs and determine what constitutes reliable knowledge.
5. In response to global skepticism, some philosophers argue for alternative approaches such as coherentism, which suggests that beliefs are justified through their coherence with other beliefs rather than foundational truths.

Review Questions

• How does global skepticism challenge traditional notions of knowledge and justification?
  • Global skepticism fundamentally challenges traditional views by suggesting that no belief can be truly justified due to our limited and potentially flawed cognitive capacities. This perspective implies that since our perceptions and reasoning processes can be erroneous, any claim to knowledge could be called into question. Consequently, it forces epistemologists to reconsider how we define justification and what it means to know something.
• In what ways did philosophers like Descartes attempt to address global skepticism in their work?
  • Philosophers like Descartes tackled global skepticism by seeking indubitable truths that could serve as a foundation for all other knowledge. Descartes famously employed methodological doubt, systematically doubting everything he could until he arrived at the conclusion 'I think, therefore I am.' This statement became his foundational certainty, illustrating his effort to establish secure ground amid pervasive skepticism about external reality and sensory experience.
• Evaluate the implications of global skepticism for modern philosophical discourse on knowledge and belief systems.
  • The implications of global skepticism for modern philosophical discussions are profound, as it compels philosophers to scrutinize the basis upon which knowledge claims are made. It raises critical questions about the nature of belief systems and how we establish what is considered true or justified. This scrutiny has led to diverse responses, such as coherentism and contextualism, each attempting to navigate the challenges posed by skepticism while preserving some degree of confidence in human understanding.

Related terms

Epistemology: The branch of philosophy that studies knowledge, its nature, and the means through which it is acquired.

Foundationalism: A theory in epistemology that holds that certain beliefs or truths serve as a foundation for all other knowledge.

Certainty: A state of being free from doubt or the possibility of error, often sought in epistemological discussions.