“What is a Skeptic? The Oxford English Dictionary gives this historical usage of the word Skeptic:
"One who doubts the validity of what claims to be knowledge in some particular department of inquiry; one who maintains a doubting attitude with reference to some particular question or statement." And: "A seeker after truth; an inquirer who has not yet arrived at definite convictions." “Skepticism is not "seek and ye shall find," but "seek and keep an open mind." But what does it mean to have an open mind? It is to find the essential balance between orthodoxy and heresy, between a total commitment to the status quo and the blind pursuit of new ideas, between being open-minded enough to accept radical new ideas and so open-minded that your brains fall out. Skepticism is about finding that balance. Here is a definition of skepticism: Skepticism is the rigorous application of science and reason to test the validity of any and all claims. Skeptics question the validity of a particular claim by calling for evidence to prove or disprove it. In other words, skeptics are from Missouri -- the "Show Me" state. When we skeptics hear a fantastic claim, we say, "That's interesting, show me the evidence for it."” Michael Shermer, PhD’s Huff Post 2/01/2013 article titled: What is Skepticism, Anyway? What is truth? Truth is defined as something that is demonstrable or proven. I call my way of living “the way of a Skeptical African” because I am a skeptic and I am an African. I believe I should question the validity of a particular claim by calling for evidence to prove or disprove it. I am an African because Africa is my species place of origin. Nevertheless, what I am above all things is someone who seeks truth (i.e. a skeptic) and how or “a way” to apply this truth.
