foster skepticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster skepticism" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the promotion or encouragement of critical thinking or doubt regarding certain ideas, beliefs, or claims. Example: "In an age of misinformation, it is essential to foster skepticism among the public to ensure they question the validity of the information they consume."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

These experiences and conditions foster skepticism and distrust, which is very destructive for a collaborative design as trust is an essential element for successful collaboration (Miles et al., 2000).

Journal of Organization Design

"But those few population-based studies that exist — that map what's going on across the country — seem to foster skepticism about moving quickly or universally to deny children their right to a mom and a dad.

Huffington Post

Just a few days before the Supreme Court heard arguments in the same-sex-marriage cases, Regnerus blogged about the American Academy of Pediatrics' recent endorsement of gay marriage, writing that the few population-based studies on gay parenting – presumably including his own – "seem to foster skepticism about moving quickly or universally to deny children their right to a mom and a dad".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It also has fostered skepticism about the Columbia study.

The New York Times

Even dental work fosters skepticism in a time of eroded trust.

The New York Times - Sports

Both accusations fostered "skepticism," Mr. Hynes said, particularly in Mr. Mineo's case, since his encounter happened in a public place in the middle of the day.

The New York Times

Even though thousands of blue collar and white collar Americans already have green jobs, it sounds like green jobs will only be created one day in the future assuming all goes exceptionally well, which fosters skepticism. 1. Green jobs sound much less expensive to create when we routinely hear that hard-working Americans throughout the country already have them.

Huffington Post

Foster foster foster!

Vice

Democratic leaders in Congress say they are serious about helping Mr. Obama keep the emerging legislation free of the pork-barrel projects that could invite criticism from Republicans and foster public skepticism.

The New York Times

Understanding the cause of circumscribed collapses in the past will foster healthy skepticism about where the human race as a whole is headed.

SEP

Despite good intentions, clinician attempts to foster healthy skepticism and promote exploration of health beliefs informed by information from particular sources might, in fact, result in increased suspicion of the proposed sources of information.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foster skepticism" when you want to encourage a questioning attitude toward information or claims, especially in contexts where critical evaluation is crucial. For example, in science education, aim to "foster skepticism" about unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

While appropriate in formal and analytical settings, using "foster skepticism" too often in casual conversation can sound overly academic or pretentious. Opt for simpler phrases like "encourage questioning" or "promote doubt" in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foster skepticism" is to act as a verb phrase where 'foster' is the transitive verb and 'skepticism' is the direct object. It describes the action of cultivating or promoting a state of doubt or questioning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to talk about the encouragement of doubt and critical thinking.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foster skepticism" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that encourages a critical and questioning attitude. Ludwig AI validates its use in promoting doubt and critical analysis. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral register. While not exceedingly common, the phrase serves a valuable purpose in advocating for critical evaluation and informed decision-making. Related alternatives include "encourage doubt" and "promote critical thinking". Use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly academic in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage doubt

Focuses more directly on instilling doubt, rather than the broader concept of skepticism.

promote critical thinking

Emphasizes the cognitive process of analysis and evaluation, a key component of skepticism.

cultivate a questioning attitude

Highlights the development of a habitual inclination to question and scrutinize.

instill healthy doubt

Similar to encouraging doubt, but specifies that the doubt should be beneficial and not destructive.

encourage scrutiny

Focuses on promoting careful and thorough examination, a key element of skepticism.

nurture a critical perspective

Implies a more developed and informed viewpoint that includes skepticism.

promote inquiry

Stresses the act of asking questions and seeking information, often driven by skepticism.

develop a discerning mind

Emphasizes the ability to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information, facilitated by skepticism.

plant seeds of doubt

Emphasizes initiating doubt but implies that the skepticism is not fully developed.

spark critical reflection

Highlights the act of deep and thoughtful consideration prompted by skepticism.

FAQs

How can I use "foster skepticism" in a sentence?

You can use "foster skepticism" to describe actions that encourage doubt or critical thinking. For example: "Educational programs should "promote critical thinking" and "foster skepticism" towards misinformation."

What are some alternatives to "foster skepticism"?

Alternatives include "encourage doubt", "promote critical thinking", or "cultivate a questioning attitude", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "foster skepticism" or "encourage doubt"?

The choice depends on the context. "Foster skepticism" implies a broader approach to critical thinking and questioning, while "encourage doubt" focuses more specifically on instilling doubt about particular claims or information.

How does "foster skepticism" relate to critical thinking?

"Foster skepticism" is a means of "promote critical thinking". By encouraging skepticism, you prompt individuals to question assumptions, evaluate evidence, and form their own conclusions, which are all key components of critical thinking.