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Home > The Psychology Podcast > 101: Science and Skepticism
Podcast: The Psychology Podcast
Episode:

101: Science and Skepticism
Category: Religion & Spirituality
Duration: 00:54:24
Publish Date: 2017-08-30 07:00:00
Description:

This week we're excited to welcome Dr. Michael Shermer to The Psychology Podcast. Michael is the publisher of Skeptic magazine, a New York Times bestselling author, and a monthly columnist for Scientific American. He has also been a college professor since 1979 and is currently a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University, where he teaches Skepticism 101. In our conversation, Michael sheds light on a smorgasbord of intersections between psychology and skepticism. This episode is also a great primer for those of you who are curious about what it means to think like a skeptic.

In this episode we discuss:

  • The core tenants of skepticism
  • The difference between skepticism and cynicism
  • Whether it's possible--in the eyes of a skeptic--to "prove everything"
  • The evidence-based probability that God exists
  • How individual differences in personality (ex. Agreeableness) play a role in one's proclivity for critical inquiry
  • Whether Michael would consider himself a skepticism "guru"
  • How to suspend disbelief when you need to act but don't have all the evidence
  • Michael's interpretation of the free speech discussion in light of recent events
  • The recent conflation of free speech and hate speech
  • Why we might be better off evaluating human problems relatively (as opposed to objectively)
  • The differences between Atheists, humanists, and skeptics
  • Michael's take on topics discussed by futurists (e.g. The singularity, cryogenics)
  • Whether or not he is scared of death
  • The distinction between meaning

We wrap up the conversation by connecting the science of flourishing to positive psychology, where we cover the loci of focus that can predictably  bring us a sense of purpose, and the distinction between meaning and happiness.

Enjoy!

Links:

Skeptic magazine and other resources on skepticism

Michael's blog for Scientific America entitled "Skeptic"

Follow Michael Shermer on Twitter

You can preorder his new book Heavens on Earth: The Scientific Search for the Afterlife, Immortality & Utopia on Amazon
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