Welcome Skeptics! Join Charlottesville's lively Skeptical community!  Founded in 2006, we're entering our fifth year of discussion dinners, happy hours, lectures, picnics, seasonal parties, with more events planned each month!

What is Skepticism?

Skepticism," when it applies to the Skeptic movement, means valuing the use of reason, rationality and the tools of science in our everyday lives.  (Note it does not mean "cynicism" or simply "Hey, I'm skeptical about a lot of things so this group must be right for me.")

Charlottesville Skeptics is part of a growing international movement known as "modern skepticism" or "scientific skepticism," consisting of an informal network of groups, writers and bloggers.  Prominent skeptical organizations include the Center for Inquiry, the Skeptics Society, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, the Richard Dawkins Foundation, the Council for Secular Humanism, the American Humanist Association and the James Randi Educational Foundation.  Well-known periodicals include Skeptic, Free Inquiry, The Humanist, Humanist Network News and the Skeptical Inquirer.

Skepticism is a positive, not a negative trait.  We are gardeners of ideas, weeding as needed so that good ideas may grow.  Most skeptics conclude that nontheism flows naturally from the above.  In particular, Charlottesville Skeptics has an especially close relationship with regional humanist groups, so is therefore largely comprised of persons with nonreligious philosophies such as humanists, atheists, agnostics, Brights, naturalists, and freethinkers.

And yes, we claim Thomas Jefferson as one of us!  We have little doubt if he were alive today he'd be Charlottesville Skeptics' president emeritus.

Goals of  Charlottesville Skeptics

1) Provide fellowship and fun among skeptics.
2) Promote critical thinking and the integration of the scientific method into our daily lives.
3) Increase understanding of the benefits of science to society.
4) Increase understanding of the negative impacts to society of poor science, pseudoscience, and science devaluation.
5) Promote truth-seeking based on reason and evidence over dogma in solving personal and societal problems.

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Promoting the use of reason, rationality and the tools of science in our everyday lives.

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Recent Meetups

  • February 2 at 7:00 PM, 7 Skeptics attended

    First Thursdays Skeptics Social

    They rated it 4.00 4.001 (1 ratings)

    An informal, no prearranged topic "drinking skeptically" meeting. Every first Thursday. We're changing venues to Al Hamraa this month. Directions are at: http://... Learn more

  • January 17 at 7:00 PM, 12 Skeptics attended

    Third Tues dinner and topical discussion

    They rated it 5.00 5.001 (1 ratings)

    Dinner and socializing, followed by a discussion on the evening's topic which is generally announced in advance.

  • January 5 at 7:00 PM, 8 Skeptics attended

    First Thursdays Skeptics Social

    They rated it 4.50 4.502 (2 ratings)

    “

    Friendly, very intelligent people, who knew a lot about many things.

    —Marc

    “

    A great bunch of people, and very stimulating discussions. ...

    —Jerry Wendelin

  • December 20, 2011 at 7:00 PM, 7 Skeptics attended

    Third Tues dinner and topical discussion
    Dinner and socializing, followed by a discussion on the evening's topic which is generally announced in advance.

  • December 9, 2011 at 6:30 PM, 5 Skeptics attended

    "The Trouble With Christmas"
    Welcome Anti-Claus! Tom Flynn has been recounting the history of the year-end holidays--and offering his rollicking rationale for why secular humanists should just sit... Learn more
See all past Meetups

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Charlottesville Skeptics http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/5/f/d/global_6725629.jpeg
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Founded Nov 11, 2008
20081111
Organizers:
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