Question

What are the drawbacks to Philosophical Skepticism?

1) Everything is/can be challenged.
2) For something to be true: the statement must be 100.
3) If absolutely certain; a belief can count as knowledge.
4) All of the above.

Answer 1

Philosophical skepticism faces drawbacks such as the challenge it presents to claiming any knowledge due to the impracticable demand for absolute certainty, leading to a potential paralysis of belief and a self-defeating position.

Step-by-step explanation:

The drawbacks to Philosophical Skepticism often revolve around its stringent requirements and the implications those have on our ability to claim knowledge. One of the central criticisms is that skeptics demand a level of justification — namely, certainty — that is seldom achievable in practical terms. Therefore, the answer is 4) All of the above: (1) the fact that everything can and is often challenged can lead to a paralysis of belief, (2) the requirement that for something to be true it must be known with 100% certainty is impracticable because such a level of certainty is rarely attainable, and (3) the insistence that a belief can only count as knowledge if one is absolutely certain of it puts most of what we consider knowledge out of reach.

Furthermore, Philosophical Skepticism can sometimes lead to a self-defeating position, as the skeptic must acknowledge that their skepticism could also be doubted. As a result, while healthy skepticism can prevent gullibility and encourage critical examination of evidence and beliefs, extreme skepticism can undermine the very pursuit of knowledge by suggesting that no belief can ever be sufficiently justified.