Final answer:
Skepticism is the philosophical view that questions the certainty of knowledge, not that all knowledge is false. It includes global skepticism, which challenges overall knowledge, and local skepticism, which focuses on specific knowledge domains. Skepticism promotes careful inquiry and does not necessarily deny the possibility of gaining knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Skepticism does not hold the notion that all knowledge is false; rather, it is the philosophical viewpoint that certain knowledge is either difficult or impossible to obtain. Philosophical skepticism is diverse and includes several subsets, such as global skepticism and local skepticism. Global skepticism questions the very possibility of knowledge, often through skeptical hypotheses that challenge our certainty of beliefs. Local skepticism, on the other hand, deals with skepticism regarding specific domains of knowledge, such as morality or religion. It's critical to understand that skepticism does not necessarily argue for the falseness of all claims but rather emphasizes caution in claiming certain knowledge. It is also important to note the difference between skepticism and fallibilism. While skepticism involves questioning the possibility of certainty in our beliefs, fallibilism is a more moderate approach that recognizes the lack of certainty but does not necessarily reject the pursuit of knowledge.
An important function of skepticism is to advocate for skeptical inquiry—a thoughtful analysis and critique before forming conclusions and accepting beliefs. This does not imply the rejection of knowledge but serves as a method to get closer to truth through rigorous questioning and evidence evaluation.