Michael Shermer || Science and Skepticism

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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