Skeptic Or Cynic ?
I was recently called a cynic and I had to consider my stance.
What I have observed is this:
I am a skeptic when being told that something is true; I need evidence, something that can be demonstrated.
However, I AM a cynic when I see how blind faith leads so many astray, especially into the arms of those who will prey upon them.
I can't help but be intolerant of the surrender of reason and trust to anything. I question all authority and mock those who insist that we must bow to something -- whether it be a "holy" text, dogmatic ideas, a leader or tradition.
In fact, I find myself getting quite vehement in those cases.
Where do you feel you are regarding these terms?
Are there more accurate terms for how you are exploring things?
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9 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I've always seen a skeptic as what you have defined someone that needs evidence to believe something. Whereas, I have always compared cynicism to being a pessimist of sorts, people who have no faith in humanity or think nothing is really worth it because we all die in the end.
Nicsnort
Level 6
Dec 6, 2017
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Skeptic. I can be and often am cynical in my observations when pressed by some would-be angel, but as a person, I'm not. I'm also prone to being a bit toxic and sarcastic when it gets to be a bit much. I try to avoid such confrontations whenever possible, but get militant as all hell when they start moving on politics, education, and law.
evidentialist
Level 8
Nov 20, 2017
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semantics will drive you nuts. realist for me
markdevenish
Level 7
Nov 19, 2017
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I'm very much a skeptic and a cynic. I don't accept any claim at face value, needing evidence. And when it comes to people's motivations, I think there's a lot of self-interest, even much of the time when people feel their motives are genuine and pure.
resserts
Level 8
Nov 19, 2017
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