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 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 -- 34 entries

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

Humility  (from online encyclopedia)
"How Much Space Do You Take?" by Alan Morinis  
The Buddhist Perception of Humility
Humility    (various articles on humility from Jewish perspective)
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) 
quotes related to humility
quotations and passages on humility (Christian perspective)
quotes related to doubt and uncertainty
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)
Pride (from online encyclopedia, the "refusal to be humiliated" meaning of this word contrasts with humility)

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

Skepticism (from online encyclopedia)
Debunkers (from online encyclopedia)
Doubt (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)
"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

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