Skepticism and the Philosophical Exploration of the Limits of Human Knowledge

Abstract

Skepticism, as a central theme in epistemology, examines the possibility and limitations of human knowledge, questioning whether certainty is attainable or if doubt inevitably shapes our understanding of reality. Rooted in ancient Greek philosophy with figures such as Pyrrho and Sextus Empiricus, skepticism developed through modern thinkers like Descartes, who introduced methodological doubt, and Hume, who exposed the uncertainties of induction and causality. These debates reveal the cognitive and linguistic boundaries that constrain human inquiry, while also highlighting the enduring tension between radical doubt and the practical need for belief. Contemporary challenges, including the Gettier problem, simulation arguments, and postmodern critiques of truth, further underscore the fragility of epistemic claims. Yet, pragmatic, contextual, and virtue-based responses show that skepticism need not lead to nihilism, but rather to intellectual humility. This study explores skepticism as a lens for understanding the limits of human knowledge in today’s uncertain, post-truth era.