Journal für Philosophie / Die Kunst des Zweifelns

Doubt is a constant companion of man: In love we doubt the fidelity of our partners, in road traffic we doubt the driving skills of others, when shopping we doubt the correctness of the bill, in the climate debate we doubt the correctness of the forecasts and the honesty of the politicians. In view of the many imponderables and uncertainties, not a few people lose themselves in the compulsion to control or even fall prey to despair. Accordingly, man longs for nothing so much as ultimate certainties that promise security and support. But just as too many and too fundamental doubts can paralyse and turn into despair, without doubts about supposed certainties, stagnation prevails. Accordingly, doubt also needs a reasonable measure.