Deconstructionism

I received an email this recently from a fellow sceptic that is far more knowledgeable and eloquent than I. However like the best of us he stumbled and I was fortunate enough to be the person he looked to for advice on a prickly subject area.

The word 'Deconstructionism' was mentioned and tied in with Scepticism, a very true but deliciously naughty little puzzle to throw at someone as Deconstructionism is not that widely recognized as associated with the modern sceptic's movement.

Put quite simply Deconstruction and it's verb Deconstructionism was sometimes used pejoratively to suggest nihilism and frivolous skepticism.

I could imagine it as being used against the Solipsists or in fact anyone that took Skepticism to it's most extreme, which any of us could do if we so wish, see: 'here is a hand' argument.

So deconstructionism as scepticism, true but only in the sense of questioning another branch of skepticism by belittling. I would not personally classify deconstructionism as scepticism purely on the basis of belittling, there are better ways to hammer the nail than resorting to cheap flaming tricks as found on many forum boards, including that of many sceptic sites.

In popular usage the term has come to mean a critical dismantling of tradition and traditional modes of thought.

Which is the way I feel the description of Deconstruction should stay, the ties to scepticism at best were tenuous and in the past, we are in a new age of Scepticism, I feel a better one,

Regards,

Den.

Promo!

Hi all,

as a kid and early adult I believed absolutely everything I was told, the ultimate believer and even though I was a massive Scooby Doo fan, scrappy doo being my fave, I was suckered in to all sorts, ouija boards, playing vinyl's in reverse, Tarot cards, rune stones and the X-Files capped it all for me.

Somehow in someway I got a wake up call, maybe it was the first wrestling Bio I read or Mitch Pileggi busting the wrestling illusion, shattering my child dreams that it's all true, I'm not sure but I became hardcore skeptical, to the point of madness, de-bunking everything in my path.

With maturity and increased research efforts I have matured a little and ride along a middling path, not dismissing things out of hand, yet not blindly believing, I follow a more Empirical pathway now, one of evidence base and yes science cant yet show everything, emotion is often thrown at me, although brain science is making in roads on that subject, I must follow an empirical base and yes I am a party pooper and intensely disliked by many but weight of evidence is my path.

I will be discussing all sorts of science, fringe science, pseudo-science and anything else that takes my fancy at the time. I do hope you enjoy my posts and do feel free to leave comments of a constructive nature, quality feed back is always appreciated,

Regards,

Den.