From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] Famous skeptics
- Isaac Asimov was an American science fiction author. He also wrote volumes of non-fiction in which he professed skeptical views.
- Daniel Dennett is an American philosopher. He is the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, University Professor, and Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies (with Ray Jackendoff) at Tufts University.
- Martin Gardner is a recreational mathematician and was the author of the long-running 'Mathematical Games' column in Scientific American.
- Douglas Hofstadter is a cognitive science and artificial intelligence researcher, computer scientist, and former physicist, most well known for his Pulitzer Prize winning book Gödel, Escher, Bach: The Eternal Golden Braid , as well as his stint writing the discontinued Scientific American column Metamagical Themas. (An anagram of the title of Martin Gardner's column Mathematical Games which it temporarily replaced during most of the first half of the 1980s.) Also a member of The Skeptics Society. He is currently a professor of cognitive science at Indiana University.
- Michael Shermer is a science writer, founder of The Skeptics Society, and editor of its magazine Skeptic Magazine. Also current writer for the Scientific American column Skeptic.
- Richard Dawkins is a British zoologist.He is best known for his popularization of the gene-centric view in evolutionary biology with his seminal work The Selfish Gene, his coining of the term meme, and his outspoken opposition to the teaching of Intelligent Design and Creation Science in the publicly funded schools of the United Kingdom and United States.
- Carl Sagan is a late American astronomer who pioneered exobiology, promoted the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and popularized science--most notably with the popular book and television series Cosmos. He also founded the still extant Planetary Society, now headed by his widow, popular science writer Ann Druyan. Although most of his popular books expressed typical viewpoints of scientific skepticism, he wrote the book The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark primarily to promote scientific skepticism among what he viewed as a dangerously credulous public.
- Ann Druyan is a popular science writer and current head of the Planetary Society. Druyan is the widow of the late astronomer Carl Sagan.
- Penn Jillette and Teller better known as the stage "magic" comedy duo Penn & Teller. Since 2002 they have been presenters of the TV show Bullshit!, investigating various claims and organizations with a skeptical attitude and much humor.
- James Randi is a stage magician and opponent of pseudoscience. He has also set up the "James Randi Educational Foundation". Randi is most famous for offering a million dollar cash reward for strong evidence of the existence of what he perceives to be pseudo-scientific, paranormal, or occult phenomena.
- Susan Blackmore is a freelance writer, lecturer, and broadcaster.
- Philip J. Klass, was known for his investigations of UFOs.
- James Oberg, skeptical on UFOs and claims of the moon landing hoax.
- Robert L. Park, a professor of physics, is a commentator on science in the mass media, and author of the book Voodoo Science.
- Philip Plait, an American astronomer, hosts the site Bad Astronomy.
- Basava Premanand publisher of the magazine the Indian Skeptic and chairman of the Indian CSICOP.
- Ben Goldacre, author of "Bad Science" column in The Guardian (UK newspaper) and medical academic.
- Robert Todd Carroll, author of The Skeptic's Dictionary and the associated website.
- Joe Nickell, invertigator of the paranormal.
- Paul Kurtz, founder of CSICOP.
- Ray Hyman, investigator of Parapsychology.
- Banachek, participated in Project Alpha.
- Milbourne Christopher, cofounder of CSICOP.
- Harry Houdini, examined spiritualism (psychics and mediums).
- Marcello Truzzi, first editor of the Skeptical Inquirer.
- Robert Sheaffer, UFO investigator.
- Kendrick Frazier, Editor of Skepticla Inquirer.
- Eugenie Scott.
- Benjamin Radford, managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer.
[edit] Skeptic Organizations
- Center for Inquiry
- Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal
- The Skeptics Society
- James Randi Educational Foundation
- Skepchick International
- New England Skeptical Society
- Irish Skeptics Society
- Australian Skeptics
- Western New York Paranormal
- European Council of Skeptical Organisations
- Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften
- Gesellschaft für Anomalistik
- Sceptical Investigations
- Israel Skeptics Society
- Studiekring voor Kritische Evaluatie van Pseudo-wetenschap en het Paranormale
- Comité Belge pour l'Investigation Scientifique des Phénomènes Réputés Paranormaux
- Ceský klub skeptiku SISYFOS
- The Finnish association of skeptics
- Association Francaise pour l'Informacion Scientifique
- Observatoire Zététique
- The Association for Skeptical Enquiry
- Comitato Italiano per il Controllo delle Affermazioni sul Paranormale
- Stichting Skepsis
- Alternativa Racional a las Pseudosciencias – Sociedad para el Avance del Pensamiento Crítico
- Círculo Escéptico
- Föreningen Vetenskap och Folkbildning
- Union Rationaliste
- Zetetics Laboratory of the University of Nice
- Argentina Skeptics
- Opção Racional
- Japan Anti-Pseudoscience Activities Network
- Japan Skeptics
- Alberta Skeptics
- British Columbia Skeptics
- Manitoba Skeptics
- Ontario Skeptics
- Sceptiques du Quebec
- China Association for Science and Technology
- Chinese Skeptics Circle
- Iniciativa para la Promoción del Pensamiento Crítico
- Association of Independent Danish Skeptics
- Prociencia
- Hong Kong Skeptics
- Hungarian Skeptics
- Indian Skeptics
- Indian Rationalist Association
- Maharashtra Superstition Irradication Committee
- Dravidar Kazhagam
- Kazakhastan Commission for Investigation of Anomalous Phenomena
- Institute for African Ecology and Philosophy
- Korea PseudoScience Awareness
- Mexican Association for Skeptical Research
- New Zealand Skeptics
- Comite de Investigaciones de lo Paranormal lo Seudocientifico y lo irracional
- Biuletyn Sceptyczny
- CEPO
- Association for the Rational Investigation of the Paranormal
- SOCRATES
- Sri Lanka Rationalist Association
- Perspective
- Independent Investigations Group
- Bay Area Skeptics
- East Bay Skeptics Society
- Sacramento Organization for Rational Thinking
- Sacramento Skeptics Society
- San Diego Association for Rational Inquiry
- National Capital Area Skeptics
- Tampa Bay Skeptics
- The Sagan Society of the University of Georgia
- Midwest Committee for Rational Inquiry
- Rational Examination Association of Lincoln Land
- Indiana Skeptics
- Central Iowa Skeptics
- Kentucky Association of Science Educators and Skeptics
- Baton Rouge Proponents of Rational Inquiry and Scientific Methods
- Skeptical Inquirers of New England
- Great Lakes Skeptics
- Minnesota Skeptics
- St. Kloud ESP Teaching Investigation Committee
- Kansas City Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
- Montana Rationalists and Skeptics Network
- New Mexicans for Science & Reason
- Central New York Skeptics
- Inquiring Skeptics of Upper New York
- New York Area Skeptics
- Western New York Skeptics
- Carolina Skeptics
- South Shore Skeptics
- Association for Rational Thought
- Oregonians for Rationality
- Paranormal Investigating Committee of Pittsburgh
- Philadelphia Association for Critical Thinking
- Rationalists of East Tennessee
- Houston Association for Scientific Thinking
- North Texas Skeptics
- The Society for Sensible Explanations
- West Virginians for Science and Reason
- Asociación Racional Escéptica de Venezuela
