Are doubt and skepticism virtues?

Question

Explain:

Answer 1

I believe they are. If we didn't have these things, we would be gullible indeed. I'm sure you'll get many mainstreamers saying they aren't... but they have doubts, are skeptics, of any religion outside of their own. I'm definitely skeptic of any religion which claims to have Absolute Truth or claims it gives Joy and Peace(while it's followers spread hate and strife amongst other people). I think if we didn't have these things, we would be falling for damn near anything out there. Atheists would be believing in ID *Gasp* because they wouldn't doubt the info that was given to them.

I would rather be a skeptic, while being honest with myself... than to just give in because the idea is popular.

Answer 2

I have always thought of virtue as the good morals of a person. Doubt and skepticism makes a double minded person and I see no good in it. We need to decide for or against something and stand on our decision.

Answer 3

They fall under Prudence, I believe. But they should be recognized as a separate category of virtue.

Walter Kaufmann proposes intellectual honesty as a cardinal virtue in his book "Without Guilt and Justice" and skepticism is certainly a part of that.

Answer 4

Doubt and skepticism normally are the result of critical and analytical thinking. This way of thinking normally tells you that everything is more complex and difficult than it seems first. Therefore if anyone presents you with "simple truths" and "easy answers", doubt and skepticism are very much called for.

Answer 5

If the doubt and skepticism are put forth in order to honestly get to the truth of something and not to destroy then yes, I think they are but we can sometimes use our doubt and skepticism as weapons to destroy which I think is not helpful to anybody.

Answer 6

only if you consider them good. i always assume virtues are good but now that i think about it it makes sense to have bad virtues as well and under that statement i would say yes they are virtues, just not good ones! well the person above definetly put a positive spin on these that i didn't think of. she made some really good points.

Answer 7

All things in good measure. They are both virtues within reason. Without them we would not have had science. But push them to the limits and we are talking paranoia and other psychological bumps. Same goes for the concept of faith. Same goes for everything.

Answer 8

To some extent.

Accepting something as fact without any confirmation is not very good intellectually. On the other hand, with things like the love of your parents, you shouldn't doubt unless you have reason to doubt - the default position should be one of undoubting

Answer 9

I think so,,,Your not so easily taken in, You ask for proof,
Too much crap is just put out there not to be skeptical,,
It's a virtue because it protects your credibility.

Answer 10

No. Both show a lack of faith and love. In 1 Corinthians 13:7, Paul says that loves believes all things. In other words, love has a child-like innocence about it.