Looking for skepticism well argued in few words

[Bjarke Roune]

After many discussions about skeptical matters on the net and elsewhere, I have come to want a document that masterfully explains and argues the skeptic case in hopefully less than a page. This would be useful to give to people who do not seem to understand the skeptic mindset, and I would like to read such a document myself too.

The document should be short, easily read, persuasive and clear in meaning. The document should not be funny, demeaning, argue by intimidation or disfavourably contrast other ideas with skepticism unless it is done in very good taste. It should simply spell out what skepticism is and why that way of viewing things is positive, helpful and best possible. Meanwhile the version of skepticism spelled out should still be specific enough to have teeth.

Can anyone here refer me to such a document, and if not, do you think it is even possible to do what I am asking for in less than a page?

 

[elaine]

Something like this?

http://skeptic.com/about_us/discover_skepticism.html

 

[Bjarke Roune]

Something like this?

http://skeptic.com/about_us/discover_skepticism.html

Thanks for the link. Perhaps something like it, but it is not quite what I am looking for.

The language is in places not that easily understood, e.g. "Like the decaying subatomic particle, pure skepticism uncoils and spins off the viewing screen of our intellectual cloud chamber."

It also spends words on many things that are not necessary to understand skepticism and does not contribute toward arguing for it, e.g. "Humans evolved to be pattern-seeking, cause-inferring animals, shaped by nature to find meaningful relationships in the world."

It disfavourably compares other ideas with skepticism: "Some claims, such as water dowsing, ESP, and creationism, have been tested (and failed the tests) often enough that we can provisionally conclude that they are not valid."

I also have some other problems with the document. I think it is a fine document for explaining something about what The Skeptics Society is about, but it does not serve my purposes. Still thanks, though.

 

[morningstar2651]

Here is the FAQ for the skeptics dictionary. I'd say it does a fairly good job.

 

[UndercoverElephant]

After many discussions about skeptical matters on the net and elsewhere, I have come to want a document that masterfully explains and argues the skeptic case in hopefully less than a page. This would be useful to give to people who do not seem to understand the skeptic mindset, and I would like to read such a document myself too.

The document should be short, easily read, persuasive and clear in meaning. The document should not be funny, demeaning, argue by intimidation or disfavourably contrast other ideas with skepticism unless it is done in very good taste. It should simply spell out what skepticism is and why that way of viewing things is positive, helpful and best possible. Meanwhile the version of skepticism spelled out should still be specific enough to have teeth.

Can anyone here refer me to such a document, and if not, do you think it is even possible to do what I am asking for in less than a page?

http://www.2think.org/2think.shtml

 

[Dr Adequate]

"Any generalization can only be disproved by citing a counterexample."

Is that concise enough for you?

 

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

My favorite: http://spider.ipac.caltech.edu/staff/jarrett/talks/LiU/sci_method_2.html