Skepticism vs. Cynicism

Skepticismnoun

(US) The practice or philosophy of being a skeptic.

Skepticismnoun

(US) A studied attitude of questioning and doubt

Skepticismnoun

(US) The doctrine that absolute knowledge is not possible

Skepticismnoun

(US) A methodology that starts from a neutral standpoint and aims to acquire certainty though scientific or logical observation.

Skepticismnoun

(US) Doubt or disbelief of religious doctrines

Skepticismnoun

An undecided, inquiring state of mind; doubt; uncertainty.

Skepticismnoun

The doctrine that no fact or principle can be certainly known; the tenet that all knowledge is uncertain; Pyrrohonism; universal doubt; the position that no fact or truth, however worthy of confidence, can be established on philosophical grounds; critical investigation or inquiry, as opposed to the positive assumption or assertion of certain principles.

Skepticismnoun

A doubting of the truth of revelation, or a denial of the divine origin of the Christian religion, or of the being, perfections, or truth of God.

Skepticismnoun

doubt about the truth of something

Skepticismnoun

the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge

Skepticism

Skepticism (American and Canadian English) or scepticism (British, Irish, Australian, and New Zealand English) is generally a questioning attitude or doubt towards one or more putative instances of knowledge which are asserted to be mere belief or dogma. Formally, skepticism is a topic of interest in philosophy, particularly epistemology.

Cynicismnoun

(uncountable) a distrustful attitude

Cynicismnoun

(uncountable) an emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.

Cynicismnoun

(countable) a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic comment or act

Cynicismnoun

The doctrine of the Cynics; the quality of being cynical; the mental state, opinions, or conduct, of a cynic; morose and contemptuous views and opinions.

Cynicismnoun

a cynical feeling of distrust