The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
The mission of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry is to promote scientific inquiry, critical investigation, and the use of reason in examining controversial and extraordinary claims.
Now Online: Skeptical Inquirer Volume 37.1
January/February 2013
Selected articles by:
Latest Articles
Leave Us Alone, You’re Spoiling Things
by Sharon Hill
Special Articles · Sounds Sciencey
March 29, 2013
The Skeptic is the unwanted visitor to the paranormal-themed discussion. Questions are unwelcome; they spoil the fun. “Why do you bother nagging on the ghost hunters, the Bigfoot believers, and the UFOlogists,” they ask, “Why not go do something to stop real harm?”
It’s the End of the World and They Don’t Feel Fine: The Psychology of December 21, 2012
by Matthew J. Sharps, Schuyler W. Liao, and Megan R. Herrera
Skeptical Inquirer · Article · Volume 37.1
Cognitive science research on belief in the 2012 “apocalypse” demonstrates that dissociative processes contribute directly to this belief through reduction of the “feature-intensive” cognitive processing that would engender appropriate skepticism.
Indignation Is Not Righteous
by Gary Longsine and Peter Boghossian
Skeptical Inquirer · Article · Volume 37.1
Appeals to righteous indignation or sanctity—which attempt to shield ideas from contemplation, discussion, investigation, or criticism—are common, impede rational discourse, and should be recognized as logical fallacies.
Monsters and Dragons and Dinosaurs, Oh My: Creationist Interpretations of Beowulf
by Eve Siebert
Skeptical Inquirer · Article · Volume 37.1
There is no field of inquiry that young-Earth creationists can’t distort. In the area of literary and linguistic studies, they misinterpret, misrepresent, and mistranslate Beowulf to fit their agenda.
Jim Underdown represents CSI at ConDor XX
by Jim Underdown
Special Articles
March 15, 2013
From March 8 – 12, 2013, I attended and spoke at ConDor XX, a sci/fi and fantasy conference at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego.
The Secret Life of J. Allen Hynek
by John Franch
Skeptical Inquirer · Article · Volume 37.1
According to legend, the astronomer J. Allen Hynek was a skeptic before becoming an outspoken UFOlogist, but is the legend true? This article takes a look at Hynek’s unusual life and career.
