Question-1

Is there a difference between debunking or being skeptical of something?

I thought debunking was when whatever is being debunked was proven to be false.

To debunk something is to prove an idea or theory is false.

Being skeptical of something is doubting the veracity of something, whether it's a theory or idea.

Seems the question is a bit odd without context?

So here it is. Dude at work asks me why I'm always trying to debunk everything? Told him that it was due to skepticism. He said they were the same thing? Thus my question. Thought maybe I was missing something? Who knows? More insight was needed before I went and debunked his statement.

As other have said I don't view skepticism and debunking as the same thing.  To me skepticism is an attitude of doubting things to be true.  Debunking is acting upon that skepticism to actively
prove something is not true thereby justifying your skepticism.

tohostudios wrote:

As other have said I don't view skepticism and debunking as the same thing.  To me skepticism is an attitude of doubting things to be true.  Debunking is acting upon that skepticism to actively
prove something is not true thereby justifying your skepticism.

That is where I'm at with it as well.
Perhaps he considers me over skeptical?

“Debunkers” and “fact checkers” are biased to whoever they work for. They just hope you don’t dig around and find out that they fooled you. Just do your own research. Most people rely on other people to tell them what to think. CNN, MSNBC and Fox are full of shit. The MSM in general is biased and untrustworthy.

James B. wrote:

tohostudios wrote:

As other have said I don't view skepticism and debunking as the same thing.  To me skepticism is an attitude of doubting things to be true.  Debunking is acting upon that skepticism to actively
prove something is not true thereby justifying your skepticism.

That is where I'm at with it as well.
Perhaps he considers me over skeptical?

He probably does. Just keep debunking him.