… When we withhold belief because the evidence does not live up to the standards of science, we are skeptical. When we refuse to believe something, even in the face of what most others would take to be compelling evidence, we are engaging in denial. In most cases, we do this because at some level it upsets us to think that the theory is true.
The throes of denial must feel a lot like skepticism. The rest of the world “just doesn’t get it.” …
True skepticism must be more than an ideological reflex; skepticism must be earned by a prudent and consistent disposition to be convinced only by evidence. CONT.
Lee McIntyre (Boston U.), New York Times