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 series. Founding member of CSICOP (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 book and website.^[7]
• Milbourne Christopher, magician. Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).^[8]
• Derek Colanduno and Robynn McCarthy, co-hosts of the podcast Skepticality: The Official Podcast of Skeptic Magazine.^[9]
• David Colquhoun, pharmacologist and author of the website Improbable Science.^[10]
• Brian Cox, physicist^[11]
• Narendra Dabholkar, author and the founder-president of Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti.^[12]
• Richard Dawkins, evolutionary biologist and author known for promoting the gene-centric view of evolution (in his book The Selfish Gene), coining of the term meme, and atheist activism.^[2]
• Daniel Dennett, philosopher. Author of Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meanings of Life and Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon.^[13]
• Jared Diamond, scientist, author and member of the editorial board of Skeptic.^[14]
• Ann Druyan, popular science author and current head of the Planetary Society. Widow of the astronomer Carl Sagan.^[15]
• Brian Dunning, host of skeptical podcast Skeptoid.^[6]
• Mark Edward Skeptologist, column on Skepticblog, invented term Guerrilla Skepticism. Exposes psychics, steering member of IIG and author of tell-all psychic book.^[16]
• Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist known for his work in quantum mechanics.^[17]
• Kendrick Frazier, Editor of the Skeptical Inquirer.^[2]
• Martin Gardner, author, recreational mathematician. Writer of the long-running 'Mathematical Games' column in Scientific American, and a longstanding columnist for the Skeptical Inquirer. Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).^[2]
• Pamela L. Gay, astronomer, co-host of Astronomy Cast, assistant research professor in the STEM center at SIUE and project director for CosmoQuest.^[18]
• Susan Gerbic, skeptical activist.^[19]
• Ben Goldacre, physician, journalist. Author of the "Bad Science" column in The Guardian (UK newspaper).^[20]
• David Gorski, surgical oncologist. A.k.a. Orac of Respectful Insolence. Critic of complimentary and alternative medicine.^[21]
• Stephen Jay Gould, paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, historian of science, Harvard University.^[2]
• Sven Ove Hansson, philosopher. Founding Chairperson of the Swedish Skeptics (Vetenskap och Folkbildning) and Editor of the organisation's journal Folkvett.^[22]
• Sam Harris (author), neuroscientist and author.^[23]
• Christopher Hitchens, journalist and author.^[24]
• Douglas Hofstadter, physicist, artificial intelligence researcher. Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning book Gödel, Escher, Bach: The Eternal Golden Braid and Scientific American column "Metamagical Themas".^[25]
• 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^[26]
• 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.^[27]
• Leo Igwe, Nigerian human rights advocate.^[28]
• Edward Jenner, English physician and scientist who pioneered smallpox vaccine.
• Penn Jillette magician, half of Penn & Teller duo. Creator and host of the television series Bullshit!^[29]
• 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]
• Pat Linse, illustrator. Cofounder of the Skeptics Society, Copublisher and Art Director of Skeptic magazine. Creator of Junior Skeptic magazine.^[30]
• Daniel Loxton, illustrator, writer. Editor of Junior Skeptic magazine (bound into Skeptic magazine).^[31]
• Tim Minchin, comedian, musician, actor. Has many songs illustrating his skepticism, most notably, Storm.^[6]
• Rob Nanninga, writer and editor of Skepter.^[32]
• 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 podcast.^[6]
• James Oberg, aerospace journalist. Critic of UFOs and claims of a moon landing hoax.^[33]
• Robert L. Park, physicist, and author of Voodoo Science.^[34]
• Massimo Pigliucci, professor of philosophy at City University of New York and co-host of the skeptical podcast, Rationally Speaking.^[35]
• 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.^[36]
• Massimo Polidoro, writer, journalist. Student of James Randi, Co-Founder and Executive Director of CICAP, Research Fellow of CSICOP (now CSI).^[37]
• Basava Premanand publisher of the Indian Skeptic magazine and chairman of the Indian CSICOP.^[38]
• Benjamin Radford, Managing Editor of the Skeptical Inquirer.^[6]
• 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]
• Emily Rosa, Guinness World Record youngest medical researcher; at age 11, published her study in the Journal of the American Medical Association on therapeutic touch, showing practitioners couldn't feel the "human energy field" when not looking.^[39]
• Carl Sagan, astronomer, popular science author, and media personality. Advocate for SETI, founder of the Planetary Society, host of the TV series Cosmos and author of The Demon Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Founding member of CSICOP (now CSI).^[2]
• Adam Savage, co-creator of the TV seris MythBusters.^[27]
• Eugenie Scott, anthropologist. Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), critic of creationism and intelligent design.^[40]
• Robert Sheaffer, author. UFO investigator, columnist for the Skeptical Inquirer.^[41]
• Michael Shermer, historian, popular science author, founder of the Skeptics Society. Copublisher and Editor of Skeptic magazine. Also current writer for the Scientific American column "Skeptic".^[2]
• Simon Singh, popular British science author.^[42]
• Julia Sweeney, actress, comedian, author and performer of Letting Go of God.^[43]
• Teller, magician, half of Penn & Teller duo. Creator and host of the television series Bullshit!^[29]
• 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.^[44]
• Richard Wiseman, psychologist.^[1]
• Paul Zenon, magician and comedian.^[45]

See also

• Humanism
• Lists about skepticism
• List of books about skepticism
• List of skeptical conferences
• List of skeptical magazines
• List of skeptical organizations
• List of skeptical podcasts
• Rationalism

References

1. Edwin C. May; Sonali Bhatt Marwaha (June 23, 2015). Extrasensory Perception: Support, Skepticism, and Science [2 volumes]: Support, Skepticism, and Science. ABC-CLIO. pp. 131–. ISBN 978-1-4408-3288-8.
2. Skeptical Inquirer Magazine Names the Ten Outstanding Skeptics of the Century
3. "Banachek - Mentalism and Skepticism". Point of Inquiry. November 13, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
4. Bryan Farha (2007). Paranormal Claims: A Critical Analysis. University Press of America. pp. 165–. ISBN 978-0-7618-3772-5.
5. "Maarten Boudry". Konrad Lorenz Institute. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
6. "What is Skepticism?" (PDF). Doubtful News. 2013. p. 7. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
7. "Books by Robert Todd Carroll". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
8. Paul Kurtz (October 29, 2010). Exuberant Skepticism. Prometheus Books. pp. 167–. ISBN 978-1-61592-970-2.
9. "Derek Colanduno and Robynn McCarthy". Skepticality. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
10. Colquhoun, David (June 1, 2013). "If a medical cure looks too good to be true, it probably is". The Guardian. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
11. Plait, Phil (April 7, 2010). "Astrologers jump on Cox". Discover Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
12. Barry, Ellen (August 24, 2013). "Battling Superstition, Indian Paid With His Life". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
13. Miles, Jack (June 29, 2006). "A Scientific Approach to Atheism". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
14. Shermer, Michael (January 12, 2016). Skeptic: Viewing the World with a Rational Eye. Henry Holt and Company. pp. 20–. ISBN 978-1-62779-138-0.
15. "Deniers are not Skeptics". The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI). December 5, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
16. Edward, Mark (July 1, 2013). "National Geographic Supports Pseudoscience". Skeptic Blog. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
17. "Why Science Remains Culturally Irrelevant". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
18. Gay, Pamela. "About Me". Star Stryder. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
19. "Wikipedia has been hijacked by 'guerrilla skeptics'!". Astrological News. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
20. Hegarty, Shane (September 7, 2007). "Surely it's not the sceptics?". The Irish Times (via HighBeam (subscription required)). Retrieved April 18, 2016. The author of the Guardian's weekly Bad Science column, Dr Ben Goldacre, and physicist and author Vic Stenger will also speak.
21. Gorski, David (April 18, 2016). "Acupuncture does not work for menopause: A tale of two acupuncture studies". Retrieved April 18, 2016.
22. Dugan, Dan; Daar, Judy (March 22, 1994). "Are Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf Schools 'Non-Sectarian?'". Free Inquiry (via HighBeam (subscription required)). Retrieved April 18, 2016. Waldorf schools are the most visible activity of the international Anthroposophical Society, which has been called "the most successful occult religion in Europe" by Sven Ove Hansson, a Swedish skeptic.
23. Fields Millburn, Joshua. "Waking Up: Sam Harris Discusses the Benefits of Mindfulness". The Minimalists. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
24. Shermer, Michael (November 1, 2010). "In the battle for ideas, scientists could learn from Christopher Hitchens". Scientific American. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
25. Romm, Joseph (November 5, 2015). Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know?. Oxford University Press. pp. 189–. ISBN 978-0-19-025019-5.
26. Plait, Phil (November 14, 2015). "George Hrab Shows You How to Think". Slate. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
27. Hill, Kyle (May 6, 2013). "A Decade of Explosions: What Mythbusters Taught Me". Scientific American. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
28. Plait, Phil (January 8, 2010). "African skeptic needs our help!". Discover Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
29. Jillette, Penn (July 3, 2008). "'I don't know' -- and that's no act". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
30. "Meet Pat Linse". skeptic. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
31. "Editor, Daniel Loxton". skeptic. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
32. Nienhuys, Jan Willem (September 2014). "IN MEMORIAM: Rob Nanninga, Skeptic Leader and Editor". Skeptical Inquirer 38 (5): 11–12.
33. Kean, Leslie (July 9, 2010). "Skeptic misses point behind UFO book". NBC News. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
34. Park, Robert L. (1997). "Alternative Medicine and the Laws of Physics". CSI. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
35. "Massimo Pigliucci". CSI. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
36. Plait, Phil. "The Perils of the Skeptic". Slate. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
37. Carroll, Robert (July 29, 2012). Unnatural Acts: Critical Thinking, Skepticism, and Science Exposed!. Lulu.com. pp. 35–. ISBN 978-1-105-90219-2.
38. Singh, Rahul (November 2, 2009). "The Spell Breaker". Outlook Magazine. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
39. Kolata, Gina (April 1, 1998). "A Child's Paper Poses a Medical Challenge". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
40. "Eugenie Scott". Skeptic. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
41. "Robert Sheaffer". CSI. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
42. Gorski, David (May 11, 2009). "The British Chiropractic Association versus Simon Singh". Science-Based Medicine. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
43. "Julia Sweeney". Skeptic. December 24, 2004. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
44. Watson, Rebecca (October 24, 2012). "It Stands to Reason, Skeptics Can Be Sexist Too". Slate. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
45. Zenon, Paul. "Paul Zenon". Retrieved 14 June 2013.