MCAT® ExamCritical Analysis and Reasoning SkillsMedium
A historian is analyzing ancient philosophical texts. They encounter a school of thought that posits reality is fundamentally unknowable, and therefore, one should suspend judgment on all matters to achieve tranquility. This philosophical stance is best described as:
- AEmpiricism
- BSkepticism
- CRationalism
- DIdealism
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Skepticism
Skepticism, particularly ancient skepticism, is characterized by questioning the possibility of certain knowledge and advocating for the suspension of judgment (epoché) as a path to inner peace (ataraxia).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Empiricism emphasizes experience and observation as the primary source of knowledge.
- C. Rationalism emphasizes reason as the primary source of knowledge.
- D. Idealism asserts that reality, or reality as we can know it, is fundamentally mental, mentally constructed, or otherwise immaterial.
Skepticism (Philosophical)
Philosophical skepticism questions the possibility of certain knowledge in a particular domain or about reality in general, often advocating for the suspension of judgment.
- Ancient Greek skepticism (e.g., Pyrrhonism) aimed for tranquility through suspending belief.
- Modern skepticism often focuses on epistemic justification.
- Distinguished from everyday doubt or cynicism.
Memory trick: Skeptics ask 'Show me the proof!' and if there isn't any, they suspend judgment.