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 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.