The [in]compatibility of science and religion

[tama]

81. I've been a long time

a proponent of philosophical skepticism, and lately converted also gliderguider into pyrrhonian sceptic - well he was allready, just didn't know it had a name.
And you describe skepticism quite beautifully, thanks for that.

I don't follow much the paranormal study, anymore, Sheldrake is the only one with whose work I'm familiar with, and you can read his books, google his website, and check the evidence by yourself. And better, previous experience has taught me to avoid quote battles - they tend to bring out the bias and then get personal, so reading in solitude and taking time would be preferable.

One point more re:
"making rational inquiry a collective enterprise, where anyone's claim, or rejection of a claim, is always subject to review, re-examination and criticism by others, and is never taken as the final word."

No matter what the collective enterprise says, I reserve the right to be the final judge of my own experience, of how I feel and happen in this world - which would be considered just anecdotal evidence in terms of that inquiry. And that means that in terms of my world view, I'm not only skeptical of the theories and other world views that exclude my experience from the realm of possible, but I also falsify them. It's just a matter of self-confidence, not of expecting or demanding anyone to believe anything. I have had enough opportunities to share my experiences with others and to listen others, so that I don't need to feel alone.