Scepticism

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Sceptic \Scep"tic\, Sceptical \Scep"tic*al\, Scepticism
  \Scep"ti*cism\, etc.
     See {Skeptic}, {Skeptical}, {Skepticism}, etc.
     [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:



  Skepticism \Skep"ti*cism\, n. [Cf. F. scepticisme.] [Written
     also {scepticism}.]
     1. An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              That momentary amazement, and irresolution, and
              confusion, which is the result of skepticism.
                                                    --Hune.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Metaph.) The doctrine that no fact or principle can be
        certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is
        uncertain; Pyrrohonism; universal doubt; the position that
        no fact or truth, however worthy of confidence, can be
        established on philosophical grounds; critical
        investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive
        assumption or assertion of certain principles.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Theol.) A doubting of the truth of revelation, or a
        denial of the divine origin of the Christian religion, or
        of the being, perfections, or truth of God.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Let no . . . secret skepticism lead any one to doubt
              whether this blessed prospect will be realized. --S.
                                                    Miller.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  scepticism
       n : the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge [syn: {agnosticism},
            {skepticism}]