Skepticism vs Cynicism

“Skeptics look for facts; cynics look for faults.”

Skepticism is a cognitive trait and a skill that Theory of Self-Relativity recommends cultivating in order to be able to look for supportive-facts, reason and logic for a proposition; and especially for a thought. Since Theory of Self-Relativity is founded upon the foundation of what it has termed as factual-thinking; in order to be able to seek facts, we must have a skeptical mindset.

Skepticism doesn’t mean being cynical, because those who are cynical are generally not interested in finding facts; they are more interested in finding faults, especially in others in order to validate their own sub-standard stance and intellect, regardless of what the facts indicate. Cynics often argue not because they are debating to learn the truth; they often argue because they want to prove someone else wrong, or at the minimum they argue in order for themselves to not be wrong.

Skepticism cultivates critical-thinking while cynicism tries to maintain a competitive mindset based on emotional-reasoning.