List of scientific skeptics
This is a list of notable people that promote or practice scientific skepticism . In general, they favor science and are opposed to pseudoscience and quackery . They are generally skeptical of parapsychology , the paranormal , and alternative medicine .
James Alcock , psychologist. Author of several skeptical books and articles.[ 1] Isaac Asimov , biochemist, author. Wrote or edited over 500 popular science, other nonfiction, and science fiction books, including the Foundation seriesCSICOP (now CSI) .[ 2] Robert A. Baker , psychologist, author. Wrote books on ghosts, alien abductions and false memory syndrome .[ 2] Banachek , mentalist . participant in Project Alpha. Real name Steve Shaw.[ 3] Stephen Barrett , psychiatrist. Cofounder of the National Council Against Health Fraud , critic of alternative medicine . Founder of the Quackwatch website.[ 2] Barry Beyerstein , psychologist. Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 4] Susan Blackmore , parapsychologist. Author, lecturer, and broadcaster.[ 1] Maarten Boudry , philosopher and author.[ 5] Derren Brown , mentalist, critic of alleged psychics and spiritual mediums.[ 6] Robert Todd Carroll , philosopher. Author of The Skeptic's Dictionary [ 7] Milbourne Christopher , magician. Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 8] David Colquhoun , pharmacologist and author of the website Improbable Science .[ 9] Brian Cox , physicist[ 10] Narendra Dabholkar , author and the founder-president of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti .[ 11] Richard Dawkins , evolutionary biologist and author known for promoting the gene-centric view of evolution (in his book The Selfish Gene meme atheist activism.[ 2] Perry DeAngelis , co-founder and former executive director of the New England Skeptical Society,[ 12] Skeptics' Guide to the Universe [ 13] Daniel Dennett , philosopher. Author of Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon [ 14] Jared Diamond , scientist, author and member of the editorial board of Skeptic [ 15] Ann Druyan , popular science author and current head of the Planetary Society . Widow of the astronomer Carl Sagan .[ 16] Brian Dunning , writer and producer with focus on science and skepticism , host of Skeptoid podcast,[ 6] Skeptoid spin-off video series, inFact ,[ 17] [ 18] [ 19] Mark Edward , formerly worked as an undercover psychic,[ 20] [ 21] The Skeptics Society ,[ 22] Guerrilla Skepticism .[ 23] : (Ref is at 2 minutes) Richard Feynman , theoretical physicist known for his work in quantum mechanics.[ 24] Kendrick Frazier , Editor of the Skeptical Inquirer .[ 2] Martin Gardner , author, recreational mathematician . Writer of the long-running 'Mathematical Games ' column in Scientific American Skeptical Inquirer . Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 2] Pamela L. Gay , astronomer, co-host of Astronomy Cast SIUE and project director for CosmoQuest.[ 25] Susan Gerbic , the founder of Guerrilla Skepticism on Wikipedia which has the mission of improving the skeptical content of Wikipedia.[ 26] Ben Goldacre , physician, journalist. Author of the "Bad Science " column in The Guardian [ 27] David Gorski , surgical oncologist. A.k.a. Orac of Respectful Insolence . Critic of complementary and alternative medicine .[ 28] Stephen Jay Gould , paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, historian of science, Harvard University.[ 2] Natalie Grams , German physician, writer, scientific skeptic, former homeopath , author of Homeopathy Reconsidered — What Really Helps Patients (in German).Harriet A. Hall , physician, former US Air Force flight surgeon . Critic of alternative medicine and quackery .[ 29] Sven Ove Hansson , philosopher. Founding Chairperson of the Swedish Skeptics (Vetenskap och Folkbildning) and Editor of the organisation's journal Folkvett .[ 30] Sam Harris , neuroscientist and author.[ 31] Sharon A. Hill , founder of Doubtful News [ 32] 15 Credibility Street [ 33] Christopher Hitchens , journalist and author.[ 34] Douglas Hofstadter , physicist, artificial intelligence researcher. Author of Pulitzer Prize -winning book Gödel, Escher, Bach: The Eternal Golden Braid Scientific American Metamagical Themas ".[ 35] Harry Houdini , magician. Critic of Modern Spiritualism who exposed fraudulent psychics and mediums and publicized their methods.[ 2] George Hrab American skeptical musician, podcaster, speaker and emcee at The Amaz!ng Meeting [ 36] Ray Hyman , psychologist, critic of parapsychology . Longstanding contributor to the Skeptical Inquirer . Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 2] Jamie Hyneman , co-creator of the TV show MythBusters [ 37] Leo Igwe , Nigerian human rights advocate.[ 38] Edward Jenner , English physician and scientist who pioneered smallpox vaccine .Penn Jillette magician, half of Penn & Teller duo. Co-creator and co-host of the television series Bullshit! [ 39] Teller , magician, other half of Penn & Teller duo. Co-creator and co-host of the television series Bullshit! [ 39] Barry Karr , executive director for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry Philip J. Klass , aerospace journalist. Known for his investigations of UFOs . Longstanding contributor to the Skeptical Inquirer . Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 2] Paul Kurtz , philosopher, author. Founder of CSICOP (now CSI), Publisher of the Skeptical Inquirer [ 2] Leighann Lord , American comedian, writer, and actress.[ 40] Scott Lilienfeld , professor of psychology, author, Consulting Editor for Skeptical Inquirer Committee for Skeptical Inquiry Fellow[ 41] Pat Linse , illustrator. Cofounder of the Skeptics Society, Copublisher and Art Director of Skeptic magazine. Creator of Junior Skeptic [ 42] Daniel Loxton , illustrator, writer. Editor of Junior Skeptic Skeptic magazine).[ 43] Alan Melikdjanian , filmmaker, creator of the YouTube series Captain Disillusion which explains the use of visual effects in falsified videos.Tim Minchin , comedian, musician, actor. Has many songs illustrating his skepticism, most notably, "Storm".[ 6] Rob Nanninga , writer and editor of Skepter [ 44] Joe Nickell , investigator of the paranormal, author. Columnist for the Skeptical Inquirer .[ 2] Steven Novella , neurologist. Founder of the New England Skeptical Society and host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe [ 6] James Oberg , aerospace journalist. Critic of UFOs and claims of a Moon landing hoax .[ 45] Robert L. Park , physicist, and author of Voodoo Science [ 46] Massimo Pigliucci , professor of philosophy at City University of New York and co-host of the skeptical podcast, Rationally Speaking .[ 47] Steven Pinker , Canadian experimental psychologist , cognitive scientist , linguist, popular science author, Harvard College Professor and advocate of evolutionary psychology and the computational theory of mind .[ 1] Philip Plait , astronomer, author. Founder of the Bad Astronomy website.[ 48] Massimo Polidoro , writer, journalist. Student of James Randi , co-founder and executive director of CICAP , Research Fellow of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 49] Basava Premanand publisher of the Indian Skeptic magazine and chairman of the Indian CSICOP.[ 50] Benjamin Radford , Managing Editor of the Skeptical Inquirer ,[ 6] Squaring the Strange podcast.[ 51] James Randi , magician. Founder of the James Randi Educational Foundation . Notable for offering a million dollar cash reward for verifiable demonstration under laboratory conditions of any paranormal ability or event. Conceived and directed Project Alpha . Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 2] Pascual Romero , co-host of the Squaring the Strange podcast, providing evidence-based analysis and commentary on a variety of paranormal topics.[ 51] Emily Rosa , Guinness World Record youngest medical researcher; at age 11, published her study in the Journal of the American Medical Association therapeutic touch , showing practitioners couldn't feel the "human energy field" when not looking.[ 52] Carl Sagan , astronomer, popular science author, and media personality. Advocate for SETI , founder of the Planetary Society , host of the TV series Cosmos The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark [ 2] Cara Santa Maria , a science communicator, journalist, producer, television host, and podcaster.[ 53] The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe [ 54] Talk Nerdy. [ 55] [ 56] Richard Saunders , prior president of Australian Skeptics , host of the Skeptic Zone podcastAdam Savage , co-creator of the TV series MythBusters [ 37] Eugenie Scott , anthropologist. Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), critic of creationism and intelligent design .[ 57] Robert Sheaffer , author. UFO investigator, columnist for the Skeptical Inquirer .[ 58] Michael Shermer , historian, popular science author, founder of the Skeptics Society . Copublisher and Editor of Skeptic Scientific American [ 2] Simon Singh , popular British science author.[ 59] Victor Stenger , physicist, philosopher, author of book Physics and Psychics: The Search for a World Beyond the Senses and many other books.Julia Sweeney , actress, comedian, author and performer of Letting Go of God .[ 60] Jamy Ian Swiss , magician, co-founder of the National Capital Area Skeptics; co-founder of the New York City Skeptics; contributor to Skeptic magazine; co-producer and on-stage host of Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism . on board of San Diego Association for Rational Inquiry (aka San Diego Skeptics).Marcello Truzzi , sociologist. First editor of the Skeptical Inquirer . Critic of organized skepticism. Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).[ 8] Rebecca Watson , founder of Skepchick blog.[ 61] Richard Wiseman , psychologist.[ 1] Paul Zenon , magician and comedian.[ 62]
See also
References
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Types of skepticism Skeptical philosophies Skeptical philosophers Skeptical scenarios Responses Lists
