Skepsis ry explained

Skepsis
Type:Scientific non-profit organization
Founded Date:1987
Location:Helsinki, Finland
Leader Title:Chair
Leader Name:Otto Mäkelä
Focus:Skepticism, public understanding of science
Method:Education, outreach, and advocacy
Num Members:1,800[1]
Homepage:skepsis.fi

Skepsis is a scientific skepticism organization of Finland founded in 1987.

Purpose

Its mission is to promote objective, impartial and critical investigation of paranormal claims and pseudoscience. Skepsis organizes public lectures and publishes articles and books related to skepticism, including a quarterly magazine Skeptikko. Skepsis works in collaboration with other scientific skepticism organizations and is a member of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations (ECSO). Skepsis is known for its annual Huuhaa ("humbug") Prize which is awarded to a person or an organization that has diligently promoted pseudo- or fringe science, and for its Socrates Prize which is awarded for work promoting Socratic, rational thinking. Skepsis also offers a prize of €10,000, sponsored by the astronomer Hannu Karttunen and the magician Iiro Seppänen, to anybody in Finland who can produce paranormal phenomena under satisfactory observing conditions. The same sum is also offered as an ET scholarship to anyone who can prove that she/he/it is an extraterrestrial by providing a DNA (or equivalent) sample for investigation.[2]

Huuhaa Prize

The Huuhaa Prize has been given annually by Skepsis since 1989 to a person or an organization who has actively promoted pseudoscience. The recipients since 2004 are the following:[3]

Socrates Prize

The group's Socrates Prize is given annually to a person or an organization who has actively promoted rational thinking or public understanding of science. Recipients include:[4]

Chairs

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mikä Skepsis on? . Skepsis website . Skepsis . 8 November 2016 . Finnish.
  2. Web site: Skepsis in English . Skepsis website . Skepsis . 5 January 2015.
  3. Web site: Huuhaa-palkinnot kautta aikojen . Skepsisin hallitus . Skepsis website . Skepsis . 2014 . 26 March 2015 . fi.
  4. Web site: Sokrates-palkinnot kautta aikojen . Skepsisin hallitus . Skepsis website . Skepsis . 2 February 2014 . 26 March 2015 . fi.
  5. https://skepsis.fi/Henkilohistoria