Global Skepticism

Definition

Global skepticism, also known as Cartesian skepticism, is the philosophical position that questions the validity of all beliefs and knowledge, including the most fundamental ones about the existence of the external world, the self, and even one's own thoughts and sensations. It is a radical form of skepticism that challenges the possibility of obtaining any certain or reliable knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Global skepticism challenges the very possibility of knowledge, questioning the reliability of our senses, the existence of the external world, and the validity of our beliefs.
2. Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy introduced the idea of global skepticism, where he doubted the existence of everything, including his own mind, in search of a secure foundation for knowledge.
3. Global skepticism is a radical form of skepticism that goes beyond doubting specific beliefs or areas of knowledge, and instead questions the very possibility of any knowledge at all.
4. The global skeptic argues that we cannot be certain about anything, not even our own existence, as we could be deceived by an evil demon or be part of a simulated reality.
5. Global skepticism challenges the core assumptions of our everyday experience and the common-sense beliefs we hold about the world, ourselves, and our mental states.

Review Questions

• Explain the key features of global skepticism and how it differs from other forms of skepticism.
  • Global skepticism, also known as Cartesian skepticism, is a radical philosophical position that questions the validity of all beliefs and knowledge, including the most fundamental ones about the existence of the external world, the self, and even one's own thoughts and sensations. Unlike other forms of skepticism that target specific beliefs or areas of knowledge, global skepticism challenges the very possibility of obtaining any certain or reliable knowledge. It goes beyond doubting the reliability of our senses or the accuracy of our beliefs, and instead questions the existence of the external world and the validity of our most basic experiences and intuitions about reality.
• Describe the historical context and key figures associated with the development of global skepticism.
  • The concept of global skepticism is closely associated with the work of the 17th-century French philosopher René Descartes. In his Meditations on First Philosophy, Descartes introduced the idea of Cartesian doubt, where he systematically questioned the reliability of his senses and the existence of the external world in search of a secure foundation for knowledge. Descartes' radical skepticism, which led him to doubt even his own existence, laid the groundwork for the broader philosophical position of global skepticism. Other key figures in the development of global skepticism include ancient Greek philosophers like Pyrrho and Sextus Empiricus, who challenged the possibility of obtaining certain knowledge about the world.
• Analyze the philosophical implications and consequences of global skepticism, and discuss potential responses or counter-arguments to this position.
  • The philosophical implications of global skepticism are profound, as it challenges the very foundations of our understanding of the world and our place in it. If global skepticism is true, it would mean that we cannot be certain about anything, not even our own existence or the existence of the external world. This would undermine the validity of our senses, our reasoning, and the reliability of our beliefs, making it impossible to have any justified, true beliefs about reality. The consequences of global skepticism would be far-reaching, as it would call into question the legitimacy of science, the reliability of our memories, and the coherence of our personal identity. Potential responses to global skepticism include arguing for the self-refuting nature of the position, appealing to common sense and the practical necessity of believing in the external world, or developing alternative epistemological frameworks that can provide a more secure foundation for knowledge.

Related terms

Radical Skepticism: The view that we cannot know anything with certainty, not even our own existence or the existence of the external world.

Cartesian Doubt: The methodological doubt introduced by René Descartes as a means to establish a firm foundation for knowledge by questioning the reliability of our senses and the existence of the external world.

Epistemological Skepticism: The view that we cannot have justified, true beliefs about the world, and that knowledge is impossible or extremely limited.