another  project WORLDVIEW worldview theme         copyright 2012               Home         

 diamond WV Theme ...             #1A / 1B             ...individual <---> knowledge 

    HUMBLY UNSURE / SKEPTIC

When it comes to knowing what is right, what is best, what is the true nature of things, or having answers to life’s important questions, I feel rather inadequate. While others most assuredly promote their beliefs with black and white certainty, I am silent and see shades of gray. I can’t forget the complexity of the world or the smallness and ignorance of any one person. I’m not sure enough of anything to lay it on everyone else. I trust not in high principles, but in small experiences. (Note: Skeptics have similar doubts, but often lack humility. Indeed, many view “true believers” with hostility, and speak up. These skeptics recognize that doubting leads to questioning, questioning to debate, re-considering, testing, new knowledge, and eventually to the truth.)

Related Words, Beliefs, Background --35 entries                Discussion from The Worldview Literacy Book

WV Theme #1A: Humbly Unsure--Alternate Concise Characterization with Wikipedia Entries

can live with discomfort caused by Cognitive Dissonance often mentally between belief and disbelief / Doubt
conciliatory, avoids expressing extreme beliefs / Moderate realizes humans are flawed, human nature imperfect 

summary Wikipedia article: Humility

 

WV Theme #1B: Skeptic--Alternate Concise Characterization with Wikipedia Entries

is able to justify beliefs, values exercise of reason, Rationality questions assumptions, values Critical Thinking
values Scientific Skepticism values  Religious Skepticism

summary Wikipedia article: Skepticism  

More to Explore --Worldview Theme #1A: Humbly Unsure 

Uncertainty (from online encyclopedia)
Deference (from online encyclopedia)
Shyness (from online encyclopedia)
Pride (from online encyclopedia, the "refusal to be humiliated" meaning of this word contrasts with humility)
"How Much Space Do You Take?" by Alan Morinis  
The Buddhist Perception of Humility
Humility    (various articles on humility from Jewish perspective)
Worldview Watch issue #14, posted 12/16/2010: Science and Theology: "The Humble Approach" 
The Plant Needs Watering, by P. Hewett (UU perspective: connects humility with reverence)
Gary Zukav (author, The Seat of the Soul)  (includes an excerpt on "Humility')
Be a Humble Seeker
"I'm glad I'm a Nobody: a positive psychology of humility", by Paul Wong
Humility -- Islamic Perspective
Humility -- from the Catholic Encyclopedia
The Principle of Humility (humanistic perspective from the Church of Reality)
The Power of Humility, by C. Whitfield, B. Whitfield, R. Park, and J. Prevett (more about this 2006 book)
On Leadership Communication: Humility (a business perspective) 
"In My Humble Opinion" by David Brooks (June 2 2011 edition of blog from NY Times columnist)
"The Case for Modesty in An Age of Arrogance" by Nancy Gibbs (2009 Time article)
"Her Agony," by David Van Biema (2007 Time article about Mother Teresa and the value of doubt)
"When Humility Sings," by Daryl & Shiryl Busby (International Network on Personal Meaning)
"Imperfect People," by Darrell Anderson
"Human Imperfection," by Ellen Layug
quotes related to humility
quotations and passages on humility (Christian perspective)
quotes related to doubt and uncertainty
more quotes related to humility, arrogance, and doubt

More to Explore --Worldview Theme #1B:  Skeptic

Debunkers (from online encyclopedia)
Questioning (from online encyclopedia)
What is a Skeptic?
Skeptic Magazine (concerned with "extraordinary claims, revolutionary ideas, and the promotion of science")
Skeptical Inquirer Magazine
links to websites on skepticism, analytical, rational thinking
Doubt: A History, by Jennifer Michael Hecht  (reviews of this book: "a stunning chronicle of unbelievers")
Dissent -- Magazine of Independent Social Thought
Tutorial on Problem Based Learning: Taxonomy of Socratic Questioning (from Fermi Lab website)
Learning Questioning, by Jamie McKenzie (this article is a resource for both teachers and students)
The Skeptic's Dictionary
The Skeptic  (British magazine looks at pseudoscience claims from skeptical perspective)
Skeptical Investigations (skeptical of the skeptics!)
Skeptical Information Sources (from Quackwatch)
The Believing Brain by Michael Shermer (read excerpts of this 2011 book)
"Ten Ways Christians Tend to Fail at Being Christian" by John Shore (on The Huffington Post, May, 7, 2010)
"Adam's Maxim and Spinoza's Conjecture" by Michael Shermer (in 3/2008 Sci Am. re: disbelief in the brain)
 Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero ( PBS Frontline program, that asks "Where was God on September 11th?) 
The Method of Doubt (another look at DesCartes' method of examining supposed truths)
Mistakes Were Made, by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson (2007 book about justifying foolish beliefs, etc)
quotes related to skepticism

back to "The Reality Marketplace" to shop for more WV Themes                                        

forward to next diamond theme,  WV Theme #2

"As you shop in "The Reality Marketplace" avoid spending your "reality cash" too early,  before you have seen everything. " 
from Coming of Age in the Global Village,  by Stephen P. Cook,  with Donella H. Meadows
.

Google
 
Web www.projectworldview.org