Beyond Reason: Socrates, Plato & Aristotle
The Origins of Skepticism
In order to map out the origins of skepticism and uncertainty, we have to start with Socrates and Plato, the founders of Western philosophy.
There is no absolute knowledge. And those who claim it, whether they are scientists or dogmatists, open the door to tragedy. All information is imperfect. We have to treat it with humility. ‒ Bronowski, J.
We look around us today and we see politicians who reassure us that they will solve all of our problems if we elect them; we see neighbors who vehemently oppose immigration because of economic ramifications to our countries; we are told that billionaires want to implant chips into our bodies to surveil our every move; we are scolded for acting out of line with the mainstream; and so forth.
We are told a lot of things from early life about most issues.
Many of us were taught from an early age that a god exists and that he is somehow involved in our lives. Some of us keep these beliefs, but many of us abandon them in young adulthood. We are pressured to accept the beliefs of our peers to fit in and then when we look across the world to see how others live…
