Radical Skepticism and Scientism

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Grand Canyon University *

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Philosophy

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Feb 20, 2024

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1 Radical Skepticism and Scientism Makayla Gliori Philosophy Department, Grand Canyon University Professor Timothy Cadillac February 8, 2022

2 Radical Skepticism and Scientism The scope through which an individual defines their beliefs can impact and shape the way in which they perceive the world. For some, religion is the looking glass through which they view the world and stand to judge knowledge. Others turn inwards or towards science, claiming them to be the only sources of true knowledge. The conflict then arises when core belief systems are stacked against one another; when viewed through the scope of the other, a paradox forms. It is paradoxes similar to these that I will cover in this paper by comparing radical skepticism and scientism to Christianity. By the end of this paper, it is my aim to explain both theories and address the contradictions they hold against the Christian Worldview. Radical Skepticism Radical skepticism, also referred to as external-world skepticism, is the belief system that believes all knowledge outside of one’s mind cannot be known (van der Breggen, 2011). There are four subcategories, all of which attempt to provide explanations into the validity of radical skepticism (van der Breggen, 2011). Overall, the issue with radical skepticism can be boiled down into one key idea and that is, it places the burden of proof on those who deny the obvious (van der Breggen, 2011). This belief system operates on the basic notion of ‘what if?’ , asking its believers to question everything and deny the probable and obvious. However, the assertation of possibility through the guise of deniable plausibility, does not constitute grounds for doubt (van der Breggen, 2011). By questioning everything and giving way to endless plausibility, radical skepticism dilutes the meanings of the words truth and knowledge. According to radical skepticism, knowledge must be experienced firsthand to be declared accurate, thus any and all knowledge outside of one’s capacity to experience is declared unattainable knowledge. If this were so, common sense, religion, and even most scientific principles could not be proven.

3 Radical skepticism and Christianity are not compatible on a fundamental level. Christianity believes that God gave people the ability to use logic and reasoning, as well as the ability to determine the validity of these ideas. It is through this ability that Christians have chosen to believe in God and have shaped their worldview to reflect so. Radical skepticism forgoes the plausible and instead questions the possible. Christianity uses the logic and reasoning, given to people by God, to deduce the existence of God through external-world knowledge. Christians point to reasonable evidence for the existence in God, seen in the universe being proven to have a beginning and the arrangement of the universe being special designed to house life (van der Breggen, 2011). Furthermore, external-world knowledge provides witness testimony for the existence of God, seen in the New Testament (van der Breggen, 2011). It is Christianity’s determination of the validity of external-world knowledge that make radical skepticism and the Christian Worldview incompatible. Scientism Scientism is the view which believes hard sciences are the only way to ascertain true knowledge and this scientific knowledge is superior to any other discipline (Moreland, 2018a). This belief is derived from the idea that these claims have been tested and proven by scientific processes while all other claims are emotional or privately held opinions (Moreland, 2018b). The main problem with scientism is the fact that the belief itself is self-refuting. Scientism claims to know that all knowledge ascertained by hard science is true, however there is no scientific way to prove this point (Moreland, 2018b). Having a belief system built on the foundation of a self- refuting structure, only gives way to a closed off worldview. This closed off worldview can lead to marginalization of faith and the exclusion of all things non-natural (Moreland, 2018b). As discussed, scientism believes the only way to prove something with certainty is through the use

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