sceptical
Does "sceptical" in the sentence below simply means "not to believe in" or does it also mean "to be critical of"?

Text:
Bourgeois was a reader of both Freud and Klein and, although she was sceptical about psychoanalysis, she nonetheless cast her autobiography using its terminology.

Question

sceptical
Does "sceptical" in the sentence below simply means "not to believe in" or does it also mean "to be critical of"?

Text:
Bourgeois was a reader of both Freud and Klein and, although she was sceptical about psychoanalysis, she nonetheless cast her autobiography using its terminology.

Answer

Hey Pineapple,

Skeptical is a difficult word to describe because it covers a very specific thought/emotion. The best way I can describe it is that it means still having doubt about an argument or piece of evidence (not fully convinced). Maybe also having more questions about the subject before accepting it as fact.

I hope this helps!

Answer

Hi Pineapple,
"She was skeptical about psychoanalysis", makes me think as if she is doubtful about psychoanalysis. That is, neither she believes nor disbelieves.

"She nonetheless cast her autobiography using its terminology", gives me the impression that she is deep down inclined to believe in it, not 100% but to some extent.

Hope this helps :)

Answers · 3

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