今日、身の回りには数多くの「研究結果」や政治的レトリック、宣伝など、多くの情報が溢れています。無批判に受け入れず懐疑的な態度を持つことには利点もある一方、度が過ぎれば不信を生みます。気候変動懐疑論や「ポスト真実」の政治、フェイク・ニュースといった今日の社会、政治文化の根源に懐疑主義が果たし得る役割を考えるほか、普遍的な真理を確実にとらえることは不可能だとする厳格な哲学的懐疑主義と、これに対する主な反応についても検討します。
　　

• Explores the nature of scepticism, asking when it is legitimate and when it is problematic
• Relates the topic of scepticism to important social trends, such as fake news, post-truth politics, and climate change denial
• Examines the philosophical arguments for a radical form of scepticism which maintains that knowledge is impossible

    
Throughout history scepticism and the urge to question accepted truths has been a powerful force for change and growth. Today, as we are bombarded by adverts, scientific studies praising the latest superfoods, and political rhetoric, a healthy amount of scepticism is widely encouraged. But when is such scepticism legitimate - for example, as a driver of new ideas - and when is it problematic? And what role might adopting a sceptical outlook play in leading an intellectually virtuous life?
     
In this Very Short Introduction Duncan Pritchard explores both the advantages of scepticism, in challenging outdated notions, and also how it can have unhelpful social consequences, in generating distrust. He considers the role of scepticism at the source of contemporary social and political movements such as climate change denial, post-truth politics, and fake news. Pritchard also examines the philosophical arguments for a radical form of scepticism which maintains that knowledge is impossible, and explores some of the main responses to these arguments. Finally, he considers the part scepticism might play in applying better thinking and learning to achieve a more meaningful life.