most the time, when you hear someone describe himself as skeptical he means that he's always questioning the validity of ideas, evidence, etc. but if you analyze that behavior in an objective context, you find that he questions such things on the basis of their relation to
his own ideas, beliefs, convictions, etc. a true skeptic would be constantly fielding his own beliefs along with whatever potential beliefs may arise from his experience and observation, weighing them all in and determining which he adheres to without attachment to what he may have selected previously. to be thus attached is more properly known as cynicism.
cynics are as unshakably set in their beliefs as any zealot or charlatan. their beliefs may set them apart, but they make use of their belief in much the same way. in this case their belief is more of an infallible de facto assumption that immediately labels as bogus anything which brings it into question.
so be skeptical; just through yourself in the mix too, and be open to coming out different! it's the surest way to a clearer understanding, in everything from the scientific to the personal.
