noun
or scep·ti·cism -təˌsizəm
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin scepticismus, from Latin scepticus skeptic + -ismus -ism
1.
a. : the doctrine that any true knowledge is impossible or that all knowledge is uncertain : a position that no fact or truth can be established on philosophical grounds
total or radical skepticism
b. : a viewpoint that universally reliable knowledge is unattainable in particular areas of investigation
theoretical or scientific skepticism
moral skepticism
metaphysical skepticism
religious skepticism
c. : the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or destructive criticism characteristic of skeptics — compare dogmatism , humism , sophism
2. : an attitude of doubt or disposition toward incredulity in general or in regard to something particular (as a supposed fact)
3. : doubt concerning but not necessarily denial of the basic religious principles (as immortality, providence, revelation) : freethinking — compare agnosticism
Synonyms: see uncertainty