Skepticism is a philosophical position that questions the validity of knowledge, beliefs, or claims, particularly those that are taken for granted or widely accepted. Skeptics typically advocate for the use of critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and empirical investigation to support or refute beliefs and claims. The goal of skepticism is to encourage intellectual humility and open-mindedness, and to challenge assumptions and biases in order to arrive at more reliable and accurate conclusions. Skepticism can be applied to a wide range of topics, including science, religion, politics, and pseudoscience.