Scepticism (Σκεπτικισμός)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
It is due to our human nature that we are sceptical. From the moment we begin to engage with the world, we are confronted with uncertainties, questions and contradictions. Scepticism is not merely a state of doubt or incredulity but a deeper, more active state of enquiry; it is one that is defined by the lack of absolute certainty. It is the recognition that our knowledge, no matter how extensive is inherently limited.
Throughout history, scepticism has played a vital role in shaping human thought. Philosophers of the past, from Pyrrho of Elis to Sextus Empiricus have contemplated the nature of belief, knowledge and doubt. They understood that our perceptions of reality are filtered through our senses, which are imperfect and our reasoning, which is fallible. Because of this, many sceptics suspend judgement, believing that absolute knowledge is unattainable. If knowledge itself is beyond the grasp of human comprehension, then how can we claim to know something with certainty? This is the core dilemma that scepticism presents, which is that we cannot claim to possess complete truth, when our understanding is constrained by our known limitations.
What we perceive as life or reality is only a fragment of the whole. Our senses provide us with data, but they do not always give us accurate information. Consider the optical illusions that deceive our eyes or the moments when emotions distort our judgement. We observe, we interpret, and we construct meaning based on our subjective experiences. What one person considers to be true, another may reject entirely.
Because of this, scepticism is a natural and rational response to the complexities of existence. It does not mean that we should abandon all belief or become indifferent to the pursuit of knowledge. Rather, it means that we must be cautious in accepting claims without sufficient evidence. There is a distinction to be made between scepticism and cynicism. Whilst scepticism is rooted in rational doubt and careful consideration, cynicism often carries a pessimistic view of human nature and knowledge. A sceptic does not necessarily reject belief outright. Instead, he seeks to ensure that belief is well-founded.
A man can be a sceptic in his thinking, whilst still acknowledging the tangible and the relevant. Scepticism does not require a person to disbelieve everything, but to question, to investigate and to seek truth through evidence and reason. This process is essential in the journey towards knowledge, for only through questioning can we reach a deeper understanding. The ultimate goal of the sceptic is not disbelief. It is the pursuit of the undeniable truth that is sought.
The challenge of accepting that everything must be validated by truth is the difficulty of proving that the truth aligns with our knowledge. Truth itself is a complex and often elusive concept. Is truth absolute or is it relative? Can something be true for one person, but false for another? These questions have been debated by philosophers for centuries, yet they remain without definitive answers.
Wisdom has a fundamental role in our ability to navigate this uncertainty. Whilst knowledge gives us information, wisdom allows us to interpret and apply it meaningfully. Consciousness, in turn, gives significance to the things that shape our true beliefs. Meleticism embraces this philosophical enquiry, upholding the principle that for everything that has a reason, there must be a transparent understanding of its justification. Without such understanding, our beliefs are merely assumptions.
When we suspend judgement, we are often more inclined to disbelief than belief. This inclination does not imply that disbelief is inherently more valid, but that belief requires justification. A rational mind seeks evidence, and where evidence is lacking, it hesitates. This hesitation should not be mistaken for a rejection of truth itself. It is merely an acknowledgment that truth, if it exists, must be discovered through reasoned enquiry rather than blind acceptance.
A common misconception about scepticism is that it leads to stagnation that those people who doubt remain forever trapped in indecision. However, scepticism is not about reducing thought to incomplete logic; it is about realising the importance of self-awareness and the continuous pursuit of truth. The sceptic does not abandon philosophy; instead, the sceptic engages with it more deeply, knowing that questioning is an essential part of intellectual growth.
There is no need for religious doctrine to define scepticism or to justify concepts such as immorality, providence and revelation. Human beings have the capacity for ratiocination, which is the ability to reason, analyse and reflect. Through enquiry and introspection, we find answers to our questions. We should not distrust our own consciousness, for it is through consciousness that we make sense of the surrounding world.
Doubt is not an enemy of truth, because it is a necessary stage in the process of discovering it. The belief in (To Ένa) the One does not require blind faith, nor does it demand that one forsake scepticism. It is a belief that can be accepted or rejected, much like any other philosophical concept. What matters is not whether one believes immediately, but whether one seeks understanding with sincerity.
Many matters in our world cannot be resolved through belief alone. Truth is not dictated by opinion, but by reality itself. Therefore, we must not shun the sceptic or dismiss their claims without due consideration. Too often, sceptics are ridiculed or marginalised for their reluctance to accept popular beliefs. This is unjust. To question is not to rebel; it is to seek clarity amidst adversity.
We must learn to treat others as we wish to be treated, engaging in discourse with openness and respect. Meleticism is not a religion that worships a deity, but a philosophy that upholds the truth and the principles that guide its pursuit. It is through philosophy that we refine our thoughts, test our beliefs and uncover deeper understanding.
A sceptic is no different from a believer in that neither can claim to possess complete knowledge of life. Whilst believers are often accepted for their faith, sceptics are criticised for their doubts. This is paradoxical, for to suspend judgement on something is not impractical, because it is cautious. A disbeliever should not be vilified or ostracised in society. Knowledge is the precursor to wisdom, and wisdom is the path to enlightenment.
Scepticism does not persist indefinitely. There comes a moment when judgement is no longer suspended, and when evidence, reason and reflection lead to conviction. When we discover the ultimate truth, we cease to doubt, for we have found the clarity that we sought. Truth is the only thing that allows us to accept our genuine fate without hesitation.
Belief in oneself is the first step towards the belief in To Ena. Before one can understand the totality of existence, one must first recognise the self. Life itself is an embodiment of fate, a journey through uncertainty towards realisation. The path we take in life is the path that leads us beyond disbelief, allowing us to transcend doubt and become one with To Ena.
Scepticism is not the fear of the unknown, but the hesitance to accept the truth prematurely. It is the process of careful consideration before embracing a certain belief. Once we have fully understood the truth, we can then embrace To Ena with conviction. In this way, scepticism is not meant to be an obstacle, but a necessary stage in the journey towards enlightenment. Thus, scepticism is not the end of belief, for it is the beginning of true understanding.
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