Michael Shermer || Science and Skepticism - a podcast by Scott Barry Kaufman

from 2017-08-30T12:00

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This week we're excited to welcome Dr. Michael Shermer to The Psychology Podcast. Michael is the publisher of Skeptic magazine, a New York Times bestselling author, and a monthly columnist for Scientific American. He has also been a college professor since 1979 and is currently a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University, where he teaches Skepticism 101. In our conversation, Michael sheds light on a smorgasbord of intersections between psychology and skepticism. This episode is also a great primer for those of you who are curious about what it means to think like a skeptic.


In this episode we discuss:



  • The core tenants of skepticism

  • The difference between skepticism and cynicism

  • Whether it's possible--in the eyes of a skeptic--to "prove everything"

  • The evidence-based probability that God exists

  • How individual differences in personality (ex. Agreeableness) play a role in one's proclivity for critical inquiry

  • Whether Michael would consider himself a skepticism "guru"

  • How to suspend disbelief when you need to act but don't have all the evidence

  • Michael's interpretation of the free speech discussion in light of recent events

  • The recent conflation of free speech and hate speech

  • Why we might be better off evaluating human problems relatively (as opposed to objectively)

  • The differences between Atheists, humanists, and skeptics

  • Michael's take on topics discussed by futurists (e.g. The singularity, cryogenics)

  • Whether or not he is scared of death

  • The distinction between meaning


We wrap up the conversation by connecting the science of flourishing to positive psychology, where we cover the loci of focus that can predictably  bring us a sense of purpose, and the distinction between meaning and happiness.


Enjoy!


Links:


Skeptic magazine and other resources on skepticism


Michael's blog for Scientific America entitled "Skeptic"


Follow Michael Shermer on Twitter


You can preorder his new book Heavens on Earth: The Scientific Search for the Afterlife, Immortality & Utopia on Amazon



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