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Skeptical Science Debunks the Deniers

82
Gus11/30/2009 3:59:40 pm PST

re: #74 Jeff In Ohio

I heard Michael Mann on the radio today. One thing he went on about that I think is pertinent to the discussion is AGW denial has nothing to do with skepticism. Skepticism is a requirement of scientific inquiry and peer review. His angle was the anti-AGW crowd were contrarian and nothing more. Calling them ‘skeptics’ imparts a degree of respectability that is not there.

That’s the thing I never understood. Why do many call themselves skeptics since as you mention that requires a “degree of respectability.” It is a bit like being agnostic compared to atheist. A skeptic would be willing to at least impart a sense of doubt and communicate a willingness to admit being wrong if proven as such. Somehow, I’m not seeing that from the “skeptic” end.