One thought on “126: Cynical & Skeptical with Jeremy Broomfield”
Penn Jillette has a great take on cynicism vs. skepticism. HIs basic premise (and I am paraphrasing, see link below for audio) is that skepticism is the distrust of ideas, and cynicism is the distrust of people. Cynics question motives, and skeptics simply want evidence of truth. I like that distinction.
Also, plenty of cynics think they are skeptics. I aim for skepticism, but sometimes hit cynicism by accident; as Jeremy said, it is seductive. More than anything, skepticism is a process, something you have to apply rigorously and constantly. Cynicism is a destination, arrived at hastily and without too much thought.
Necessary & Sufficient 
Penn Jillette has a great take on cynicism vs. skepticism. HIs basic premise (and I am paraphrasing, see link below for audio) is that skepticism is the distrust of ideas, and cynicism is the distrust of people. Cynics question motives, and skeptics simply want evidence of truth. I like that distinction.
Also, plenty of cynics think they are skeptics. I aim for skepticism, but sometimes hit cynicism by accident; as Jeremy said, it is seductive. More than anything, skepticism is a process, something you have to apply rigorously and constantly. Cynicism is a destination, arrived at hastily and without too much thought.