Another new entry I added to the home page. This one you will want to save and spread around!
http://www.debunkingskeptics.com/characteristics.php
Characteristics and Behaviors of Pseudo-Skeptics
Regardless of how they define themselves, a pseudo-skeptic is a pseudo-skeptic if their actions and behaviors fit the characteristics of one. Here are some lists of criteria that define what makes a pseudo-skeptic.
In my treatise introduction, I list these primary differences between the true skeptic vs. the pseudo-skeptic:
True skeptics / open-minded skeptics
* has honest doubt and questions all beliefs, including their own
* seeks the truth, considers it the highest aim
* seeks open inquiry and investigation of both sides
* is nonjudgmental, doesn't jump to rash conclusions
* weighs evidence on all sides
* asks exploratory questions about new things to try to understand them
* acknowledges valid convincing evidence
* possesses solid sharp common sense
* is able to adapt and update their paradigms to new evidence
Pseudo-skeptics / closed-minded skeptics
* automatically dismisses and denies all claims that contradict materialism and orthodoxy
* is not interested in truth, evidence or facts, only in defending orthodoxy and the status quo
* ignores anything that doesn't fit their a priori beliefs and assumptions
* scoffs and ridicules their targets instead of providing solid arguments and giving honest consideration
* has a know-it-all-attitude, never asks questions about things they don't understand, never admits that they don't know something
* insists that everything unknown and unexplained must have a conventional materialistic explanation
* is judgmental and quick to draw conclusions about things they know little or nothing about
* uses semantics and word games with their own rules of logic to try to win arguments
* is unable to adapt and update their paradigms to new evidence
Wikipedia's original entry on pathological skepticism listed these defining behaviors of pseudo-skeptics (before it was botched and changed to an inferior entry):
The difference between pseudoskepticism and skepticism appear in the conduct of an
individual's actions. Among the indications of pseudoskeptical actions are:
1. Resorting to various logical fallacies (usually in an attack against those disputing a theory).
2. The assumption of facts (such as, stating theories determine phenomena).
3. The obfuscation of facts.
4. The use of attractive or neutral euphemisms to disguise unpleasant facts concerning their own positions.
5. Insisting that fundamental framework and theory of science hardly change.
6. Unwavering belief that science is a consensus and run on majority rule.
7. Maintaining a stance of hostility and intolerance.
8. Instituting hurdles against new theories by "moving the goalposts".
9. Ignoring intellectual suppression of unorthodox theories.
10. Judging a theory or phenomena without investigation and insisting on ignoring the details thereafter.
On my forum, Steve observed these five consistent patterns observable in pseudo-skeptics:
As a skilled observer you will also note that Pseudo-skeptics:
1. Seldom, in fact almost never, ask questions, reflecting Zero Curiosity thus learning difficulties
2. Practice a very high level of self deception and mistakenly believe they can lie to adults as they did in childhood
3. Display markedly deficient reading and comprehension skills
4. Display inability to connect thoughts sequentially and plan an argument- often defeating their own case
5. Depend on bluster and bullying and name calling to make up for lack of argument content
In short, these pseudo-skeptics are materialist fundamentalists and fanatics driven by dogmatic beliefs and views that are unquestionable, which they seek to proselytize to the world, such as:
* The paranormal is impossible and ALWAYS disproven
* Everything unexplained or unknown MUST have a natural materialistic explanation
* If someone makes a paranormal claim, they MUST be wrong
* ONLY natural reductionist explanations are acceptable
* If mainstream science doesn't understand or accept something, then it MUST be false or doesn't exist
Etc. etc.