skepticism in fiction

[Meri]

I recently started on the Discworld novels. I have a penchant for reading them in order, although I understand that it is rarely necessary. All of the books I've read so far have a skeptical/cynical edge to them.

I think most Discworld novels could count as skeptical, although as people have pointed out, some contain a more skeptical message than others. They contain a lot of magic, of course, but on Discworld magic works, it isn't really woo. Here, magic doesn't work, so it is. This point is sort of made in the Science of Discworld II (which is only about half fiction). The wizards of Discworld show up in our world, about the time of Shakespeare:

"This is a credulous age. . .The greatest minds spend half their time busying themselves with the study of magic, astrology, alchemy and communion with spirits."

"Well? Sounds just like life at home," said Rincewind.

"Yes," said Hex. "But there is no narrativium in this world. No magic. None of those things work."

"Then why don't they just stop trying it?" said Ponder.

"My inference is that they believe it should work if only they get it right"

"Poor devils," said Rincewind.

"They believe in those, too."

 

[Mojo]

Two excellent skeptic mysteries:

The Pale Horse, Agatha Christie

Strong Poison, Dorothy L. Sayers

Or how about John Sladek's Black Aura?

 

[rats]

East of Eden for a lovely description of the ideomotor effect.