Rational skepticism or Scientific skepticism (British English spelling: scepticism) sometimes referred to as skeptical inquiry, is a scientific, or practical, epistemological position in which one questions the veracity of claims based on the empirical evidence offered for them, or lack thereof. In practice, a scientific skeptic generally focuses on critically examining claims and theories and determines whether they are scientifically valid, or are beyond the mainstream of science.
Scientific skepticism is different from philosophical skepticism, which questions our right to claim knowledge about the nature of the world and how we perceive it. Scientific skepticism utilizes critical thinking and attempts to oppose claims made which lack suitable evidential basis.