Analysis of Radical Skepticism and Scientism in Philosophy

This essay delves into the philosophical concepts of radical skepticism and scientism, exploring their core arguments and implications. Radical skepticism, as defined, questions the possibility of certain knowledge, emphasizing the need for verifiable evidence, while scientism prioritizes natural and physical sciences as the primary means of understanding reality. The essay examines the arguments for and against each philosophy, providing examples such as the 'brain-in-a-vat' scenario for radical skepticism and the Big Bang Theory in relation to scientism and the Christian perspective. The author also discusses the tension between these philosophical viewpoints and religious beliefs. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and forming individual interpretations to navigate these complex ideas, encouraging the reader to question and evaluate knowledge and arguments to determine truth. The essay uses the provided references to support the arguments presented.

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Radical Skepticism and Scientism
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Introduction
Both "radical skepticism and scientism are crucial in the field of philosophy. Given the
ideologies of external world skepticism with problems, there is a universe or world other than the
physical ones where we get a life. In addition, scientism depends exclusively on the natural and
physical sciences to carry out assessments. Both relate as they all pay attention to the argument
that the physical presence of the world is important to the finding of the reality of the universe
itself. This paper will generally cover the topic of radical skepticism, also referred to as external
skepticism, which is the ability to filter knowledge. It means that everything in this world is
questionable unless supported by verifiable and solid evidence. The perception of knowledge as
unreliable is what is defined as scientism. However, both the philosophical arguments awaken
questions to those who discover the topic and can confuse those who discover it. Individuals
have questioned their beliefs by discovering these philosophical ideologies until they identify a
way to offer answers to these problems and challenges.
Radical Skepticism
Radical skepticism is defined as "the view that knowledge-most of it at any rate-is
impossible" (Coliva, 2021). Most philosophers argue that it is hard to truly believe any
information without factual evidence. Some of the examples of radical skepticism include; "if I
know I have hands, then I know I am not a handless brain-in-a-vat. I don't know I am not a
handless brain in a vat. Therefore, I don't know that I have hands". Similar to most radical
skepticism, opinions are very hard to offer an effective argument against. One can easily neglect
your answer or argument with even more hard questions. Even though it is hard to rebuttal, it can
have a believable argument. Many Christians perceive that God put His all creations on earth for
a purpose (Coliva, 2021).

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They also believe that God calls his creation to take care of the earth and all those lives in
it, such as animals, our neighbors, etc. Those who do not trust God can easily neglect this
argument since it does not apply to their lives. However, if one truly trusts and believes that
nothing is real because there is no solid proof, it will be difficult to offer a concrete argument to
persuade them (Coliva, 2021). As discussed in the class, what we learned concerning knowledge
is the only way of reality by hard science? Knowledge is either be valid or ground up in other
truths and reasoning. Nevertheless, one can believe that they have legs, but another person can
believe that they do not have legs because they do not believe that statement 100 % sure. To
Christians, truth and knowledge come from the Bible's scripture.
Scientism
Scientism is the wide-ranging belief that the assumptions and techniques of natural and
physical sciences research are equally necessary to other disciplines such as humanities,
philosophy, and the social sciences. In scientism, there is the belief that natural sciences have
power above the other clarifications of life. Thus in any philosophical analysis, techniques of
natural sciences combine the proper elements. Again, there is a claim that science alone can
render the truth concerning the world and reality (Moreland 2018). Scientism sees it relevant to
do away with almost all philosophical, metaphysical and religious arguments because the facts
they attempt to proclaim are not in a position to be apprehended by scientific techniques. Thus,
scientism claims that science is absolute and, at the same time, justifiable admittance to the truth.
Focusing on the implications of scientism, especially on the current life, for instance, in
the time pandemic. During the year, the media continued to portray false deaths claiming that
they were caused by COVID- 19. Many hospitals give false information to society by
exaggerating the total number of deaths for them to receive more funds to support medical needs

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and other areas (Moreland 2018). Due to reports, scientists individuals are likely to have a belief
without their will that large numbers are just probable, so people should not worry about them.
The problem that scientism has when looking at the dimension of the Christian perspective is
that it results in tension when explaining creation. Many scientists believe in the "Big Bang
Theory," while on the other hand, Christians claim that God is the greater creator of the world.
Hence at that point, belief and trust in religion occur. However, the claim is that science is just a
credible source and cannot be taken as the ultimate source.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these arguments tend to be complex and confusing. But when a person
begins to research, coming up with interpretations of their own, it becomes practical and
understandable. Looking at different sides of these arguments, someone can understand any point
of opinion. And at the same time, it helps one know the reason for such beliefs. Here, individuals
have to make their own decisions based on the truth. They can determine the fact concerning
knowledge by producing questions about the knowledge and the arguments. Individuals can
expand their ability to determine false facts versus valid facts and arguments. God demands his
followers to be firm on facts and have knowledge from the Bible. At the same time, God
demands his people to apply the Bible's knowledge in their daily lives, avoiding forcing the
people to have different beliefs in the opposite religion.

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References
Coliva, A. (2021). Hinges, radical skepticism, relativism and alethic pluralism. In Non-
Evidentialist Epistemology (pp. 97-117). Brill.
Moreland, J. P. (2018). Scientism and secularism: Learning to respond to a dangerous ideology.
Crossway.