This web hosts the works of Dr. Massimo Pigliucci about skepticism and humanism. I pursue this field of scientific / philosophical inquiry when I am not too busy with my research and teaching at SUNY-Stony Brook, or pursuing my interests in philosophy of science at the same institution.

Skepticism, contrary to popular belief, is not a synonym for cynicism, and is most certainly not practiced by grumpy and stuffy academics. Rather, to follow David Hume, this site is about positive skepticism, or the idea that reasonable belief in something has to be proportional to the evidence favoring such belief. As Hume put it in his Letters:

"Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries."

So skepticism here means an open mind to inquiry into any aspect of reality, and that is the spirit with which the essays, lectures and other material contained on this site is presented to you. Enjoy the voyage!

Need to get in touch with me? Do so at pigliucci a t rationallyspeaking d o t org.

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