Objectivism 101

Lesson 8: Consequences of Objectivism

Skepticism

The word "skepticism" in the usual sense designates a rational method of examination of extraordinary claims. Evidence must be sufficient to prove the claim, and therefore extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence. When confronted with supernatural or paranormal claims that are proposed to us, Objectivist epistemology indicates that we must demand objective evidence, that is, evidence based on logic and the senses. Furthermore, we must take into consideration both theory and practice, as both point to the same reality - the first points to what is possible in general, while the second indicates what has been achieved in one particular instance.

For example, if someone tells us that he has invented a free energy machine, one would like to understand both the laws of physics that would permit this, and if the machine really does work. Therefore, one would like to take measurements of the input and the output, as well as see what the machine is like inside. If both theory and practice agree that the form of free energy proposed is impossible, then we must reject the idea emphatically.

For some people, it is only necessary to know the basics and apply them to one's life. philosophy can be very useful on a more global scale, as well as in areas where direct observation does not help us. People die from pseudo-medecine, waste money on pseudo-science, lose their lives or livelihood in worship, all areas where a little rational thinking can go a long way.

There is an important concept related to skepticism : Occam's Razor. Occam's Razor is a corollary of the demand for objective evidence as applied to explanatory entities. It can be expressed thusly : if we are confronted with two hypothesis that explain the same set of facts, then the one that necessitates the least entities or mechanisms is the best one. For example, evolution and Special Creationism both purport to explain the same facts, but Special Creationism entails at least one more entity, which is a Creator.

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