Deconstructionism

I received an email this very night from a fellow sceptic that is far more knowledgeable and eloquent than I. However like the best of us he stumbled and I was fortunate enough to be the person he looked to for advice on a prickly subject area.

The word 'Deconstructionism' was mentioned and tied in with Scepticism, a very true but deliciously naughty little puzzle to throw at someone as Deconstructionism is not that widely recognized as associated with the modern sceptic's movement.

Put quite simply Deconstruction and it's verb Deconstructionism was sometimes used pejoratively to suggest nihilism and frivolous skepticism.

I could imagine it as being used against the Solipsists or in fact anyone that took Skepticism to it's most extreme, which any of us could do if we so wish, see: 'here is a hand' argument.

So deconstructionism as scepticism, true but only in the sense of questioning another branch of skepticism by belittling. I would not personally classify deconstructionism as scepticism purely on the basis of belittling, there are better ways to hammer the nail than resorting to cheap flaming tricks as found on many forum boards, including that of many sceptic sites.

In popular usage the term has come to mean a critical dismantling of tradition and traditional modes of thought.

Which is the way I feel the description of Deconstruction should stay, the ties to scepticism at best were tenuous and in the past, we are in a new age of Scepticism, I feel a better one,

Regards,

Den.

Hello!

I would firstly just like to say a quick hello to anyone following my blog posts now or in the future; I do hope to keep them to the point and informative without getting bogged down by technical Jargon.

I am a virgin blogger so please bear with me, so many people have encouraged me to start blogging instead of simply chatting about science/sceptical topics over coffee in the local Starbucks.

Hopefully my writing style will stay the chatty and informative tone that my friends seem to enjoy, even if we do disagree on various points, its all good jest between us.

Bertrand Russell argued that individual actions are based upon the beliefs of the person acting and if the beliefs are unsupported by evidence then such beliefs can lead to destructive actions. I am a believer of this also, especially with regards to the alternative medicine brigade that offers cures more likely to kill you quicker than the disease!

Anyway thats enough about me and my reasons for starting a blog, now I just have to hope I get the time to blog on a regular basis and that things worthy of blogging about come to my attention;

Best wishes,

Undercover Sceptic.