Written by Michael Blanford Written by Tyrel Eskelson, opinions
writer for the Sheaf, the student newspaper at The University of
Saskatchewan. It's great to see this in a student publication.
What it Means to be a Skeptic It is perhaps a common
misconception that one who defines him or herself as a skeptic
could also interchangeably be labeled a contrarian or a
disparager. A skeptic is not someone who is cynical, close-
minded or rejects new ideas. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
A skeptic is someone not in a fixed position but rather one who
adopts a process. Skepticism uses the application of reason to
evaluate all claims and requires compelling evidence before
something is believable. Modern skepticism is embodied in the
scientific method, which gathers data to formulate and test
natural phenomena. With the use of this tool a claim becomes
factual when it is confirmed to such an extent that it would be
reasonable to offer a provisional agreement. Skepticism is
therefore a process of applying reason and c