Pronunciation: [skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm] (IPA) 
Skepticism is the correct spelling of the word that represents the mindset of being skeptical or doubting a claim or theory. It is pronounced as /ˈskɛptəsɪzəm/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable is pronounced as "skept" with a short e sound, while the second syllable is pronounced as "i" as in "bit." The final syllable is pronounced as "-ism" with a short i sound followed by the "-zum" sound.
Skepticism refers to a philosophical and critical attitude characterized by questioning and doubting claims, beliefs, or proposals. It is an approach that encourages individuals to suspend judgment and hold a cautious view towards accepting or rejecting assertions until they have been thoroughly examined, tested, and supported by evidence or sound reasoning. Skepticism challenges the acceptance of claims that lack substantive proof or logical coherence.
In general, skepticism promotes a healthy level of caution and inquiry to prevent unwarranted acceptance of ideas, preconceived biases, and misleading information. It aims to develop a rigorous and rational mindset that avoids hasty conclusions and instead prioritizes gathering reliable evidence to support or refute propositions.
Skepticism can be observed in various domains like science, where empirical evidence is demanded before accepting a theory or claim. Skepticism also manifests in everyday life, encouraging individuals to question narratives, advertisements, political ideologies, and media coverage to ensure they are not misled or manipulated by unchecked or biased information.
Although skepticism as a philosophical position is often associated with doubting, it does not necessarily mean dismissing all claims without evidence. Skeptics are concerned with critically examining beliefs and arguments and employ rationality and skepticism as tools to gain a better understanding of the world. By fostering a healthy skepticism, individuals are better equipped to make informed decisions, avoid fallacies, and maintain an open-minded yet critical approach towards various claims and assertions.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "skepticism" derives from the ancient Greek term "skeptikos", which means "thoughtful", "inquiring", or "reflective". The Greek word stems from the verb "skeptomai", meaning "to examine", "to consider", or "to look closely". Initially, in ancient Greece, the term "skeptikos" referred to members of philosophic schools who were known for their questioning attitude and dedication to examining and scrutinizing various philosophical and dogmatic claims. Over time, the term evolved and was adopted into English as "skepticism" in the late 16th century, still retaining its original sense of critical inquiry and doubt.
