About

The skep/dad blog is a place for rational, science-minded fathers to express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas about bringing up kids to be critical thinking adults in a world filled with superstition, mysticism, and pseudoscience. It is not so much about rejecting ideas. More so, it is a matter of looking at beliefs, philosophy, dogma, culture, creed, and theory with an eye for the critical and evidence-based. It is about asking questions over blind acceptance. It is about enlightenment and understanding over indoctrination and memorization.

The Author(s)

What is Skepticism?

Defined, skepticism is a method of rigorous thought where one suspends judgment, systematically doubts, and thinks critically about new ideas before accepting them as truths. In fact, for many skeptics there are no real truths, just ‘likely and probable theories’ to explain the universe and everything inside of it.

For a more thorough discussion read my post on What is Skepticism?

What is this blog? (Or, why skep/dad? by Brad)

The skep/dad blog was started as one man’s thoughts, opinions, and ideas about bringing up kids to be critical thinking adults in a world filled with superstition, mysticism, and pseudoscience. The emphasis here is on opinions and ideas. I’ve given you my credentials and my motivation. I wouldn’t expect you to accept this information blindly. And even more so, this is an open dialog. You can agree or disagree. I am seeking advice as much as I am giving it. I will write short articles on things I’ve thought about or tried. I will explore practical examples from my kids, my friend’s kids, and my own childhood. I will share, and readers should share back.

I may not be the most experienced father, but who is? Many of us stumble through the job and wonder if we’re doing things right or wrong. Are we ruining our kids? I honestly don’t think there is a correct answer to raising children. In each parent’s eyes they are both the best and the worst, and everyone else is doing something absolutely right and absolutely wrong. I don’t expect to change many minds; You can bring kids up however you see fit. But all the same this blog will continue to be a dialog on raising kids to be critical thinkers, members of society who bring society forward through questioning their parents and their parent’s values. Is this a good thing? Of course; If we were wrong then they will uncover something better. If we were right, they will likely find the same conclusions. Do I need to be an experienced father to do that? Do you? It may help, but using the right tools to allow our kids to be their own people can help, too.

I hope to explore what those tools are, how to use them, and what kind of results to expect. It’s going to be a journey. I expect feedback. I expect resistance. I expect I am not alone in asking these questions. And like any good skeptic, it is often more about asking the right questions than giving the right answers. That is all this can ever be. Take it for what it is. Share and enjoy.