Skepticism
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The Skeptic's Dictionary
"over 338 skeptical definitions and essays on occult, paranormal, supernatural and pseudoscientific ideas and practices with references to the best skeptical literature" Skeptic.com, official site of the Skeptics Society and home of Skeptic Magazine.
"The Skeptics Society is a scientific and educational organization of scholars, scientists, historians, magicians, professors and teachers, and anyone curious about controversial ideas, extraordinary claims, revolutionary ideas and the promotion of science. Our mission is to serve as an educational tool for those seeking clarification and viewpoints on those controversial ideas and claims."
See also the Skeptics list of most recommended skeptical books The James Randi Educational Foundation.
"An educational resource on the paranormal, pseudoscientific and the supernatural." See the
1 Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge. CSICOP - The Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. Home of Skeptical Inquirer magazine.
"CSICOP encourages the critical investigation of paranormal and fringe-science claims from a responsible, scientific point of view and disseminates factual information about the results of such inquiries to the scientific community and the public." Australian Skeptics
"Investigating pseudo-science and the paranormal from a responsible scientific viewpoint." Science and Pseudoscience Review in Mental Health
"The purpose of Science & Pseudoscience Review in Mental Health is to promote the understanding of the scientific study of mental health problems and the empirically supported treatments available. In addition to promoting the understanding, training, and application of scientific methodology to human problems, The Review scrutinizes clinical services that appear to be at odds with scientific inquiry and evidence."
The Skeptic Ring
"consists of sites that examine claims about paranormal phenomena and fringe science from a skeptical point of view. These sites believe that such claims should be examined rationally and objectively. Topics include UFOs, alien abductions, psychic powers, ghosts, perpetual motion, crop circles, astrology, telepathy, palm reading, tarot cards, repressed memories, creationism, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, hypnosis, homeopathy, dowsing, conspiracy theories, reiki, and magick." The Skeptic Tank
The Skeptic Tank is a BBS which maintains extensive archives on destructive groups, individuals, and ideologies with special focus on religion's impact upon history as well as religion's impact upon rights, liberties, health, and safety of the world's populace in contemporary times. Newspaper articles and information about various groups and individuals and their destructive ideology-drive activities are provided upon request free of charge to serve the community... The Skeptic Tank also maintains as a primary focus the scientific debunking of claims of the paranormal. This includes all testable claims of the paranormal from aliens in flying saucers to vague, ill-defined conspiracies... Junkscience.com
This site exposes and debunks "junk science," where ""Junk science" is faulty scientific data and analysis used to used to further a special agenda."
Skepsonix by Jan Roos
Links to quality audio and video files on topics related to skepticism.
Links are categorised and annotated. "On Skepsonix you will find links to
audio & videofiles on skeptical topics and critical thinking. Lectures,
interviews, debates and discussions about pseudoscience, paranormal,
supernatural, ufo, "alternative" medicine and therapies, creationism,
intelligent design, quantum quackery, and more..." [30 Apr 05] GuidesBaloney Detection Part 1 and Part 2 - by Michael Shermer, in Scientific American
A good, brief 10-step guide to critical thinking about any claim - especially unusual, surprising, controversial or momentous claims. Seven Warning Signs of Voodoo Science by Robert Park
"Science begets pseudoscience. The more science succeeds, the more it attracts imitators who cloak foolish and often fraudulent claims in the language and symbols of science...Too often, however, those with little exposure to the methods and ideas of modern science are unable to distinguish genuine scientific advances from the claims of misguided zealots or unscrupulous hucksters." A handy guide to sorting the sheep from the goats from one of the leaders in the never-ending fight against pseudoscience. [24 Aug 02] Cleaned up and published in the Chronicle of Higher Education as The Seven Warning Signs of Bogus Science. [1 Mar 03] The Woo Woo Credo from Watching You Dot Com
"To be a proper woo-woo, you must follow these rules: 1. Never look for the simplest, most obvious cause of something. Refrain from mentioning Occam's Razor (it's your nemesis)... [40 more]. As compiled from various posts on sci.skeptic and alt.fan.art-bell. Original idea by Reality Check." [23 Dec 02] Meta-SkepticismSkepticism about skepticism itself Skeptics' Stupid Tricks by DOwens6683
"skeptics are just as likely as anyone else to twist their language, logic and facts to win an argument, and keeping these tricks in mind when dealing with skeptics may very well keep you from being bamboozled." A fine piece of critical thinking, this time turned on skeptics themselves. Sage advice to keep in mind in any context. Historic Doubts Relative to Napoleon Buonaparte by Richard Whately
Delightful satire of the standards of evidence skeptics profess to maintain. This essay from the mid-19C displays critical thinking even as it lampoons such thinking when taken to extremes. [13 Oct 03]
Last updated:
22 Jun 2007 | 
