Skepticism vs. Cynicism
by
Opal
The team normally uses these as prompts for flash fiction, but given the words, I was inspired to do a non-fiction bit.
So very often, people confuse the skeptical view with cynical bitterness. The two are not the same, and it makes me sigh to think that they have been so convoluted.
In this day and time, cynics have endeavored to saturate the world with naysaying and sneering mockery. To make the bold claim "I am right and all others are wrong" proves to be a grievous error in judgment time and again. It matters not whether the one making the claim proclaims the supreme might of the deity ze worships; or if the claimant is stating that there is, without a doubt, no higher power of any kind, nor nothing beyond the material Universe.
There is no slight difference in saying "I cannot believe something which cannot at this time be scientifically proven" and saying "If it cannot be scientifically proven at this time, it cannot in fact be true." There was a time when people believed the Earth to be flat, believed that the Earth was orbited by the Sun and all other celestial bodies, and would have laughed anyone who stated that one day people would go to the Moon out of town.
We are always on the threshold of new discovery. Why not unwind from the tension of the need to be right? It is not necessary to believe exactly as another believes. All is perception. Why cut down another's thoughts with a tongue like a sword?
Everything we believe is theory. Why can we all not share our theories without a need to be right, especially when it comes to subjects about which we still have so little understanding?
However, no matter what scientists proclaim, I say that Pluto will always be the ninth planet in our Solar System!
Namaste.
~Opal~
Here's a song for Pluto, and for you, dear Visitor.
