Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Michael Shermer explains how we arrive at truth when unpacking everything from conspiracy theories and cryptids to climate change and criminal trials.
Can we ever be sure that we're right?
With a free trial, you can watch the full talk NOW at iai.tv/video/michael-shermer-reality-doesnt-care-what-you-think?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description
Our culture has treated facts as narratives and truth as power. Join American sceptic Michael Shermer as he defends an ancient idea: reality exists independent of belief. Knowledge may be provisional, but it is not arbitrary. Science and reason remain our best tools for tracking a world that does not bend us to ideology. Abandoning objective truth does not liberate us; it dissolves the ground for criticism, progress, and justice. Without facts, disagreement becomes noise rather than argument.
#philosophy #epistemology #reality #skeptic
Michael Shermer is one of the world's most prominent sceptics and defenders of scientific reason. He's the founding publisher of the widely read Sceptic Magazine, and the executive director of the Sceptics Society.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=michael-shermer-reality-doesnt-care-what-you-think
For debates and talks: iai.tv
For articles: iai.tv/articles
For courses: iai.tv/iai-academy/courses
Michael Shermer explains how we arrive at truth when unpacking everything from conspiracy theories and cryptids to climate change and criminal trials.
Can we ever be sure that we're right?
With a free trial, you can watch the full talk NOW at iai.tv/video/michael-shermer-reality-doesnt-care-what-you-think?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description
Our culture has treated facts as narratives and truth as power. Join American sceptic Michael Shermer as he defends an ancient idea: reality exists independent of belief. Knowledge may be provisional, but it is not arbitrary. Science and reason remain our best tools for tracking a world that does not bend us to ideology. Abandoning objective truth does not liberate us; it dissolves the ground for criticism, progress, and justice. Without facts, disagreement becomes noise rather than argument.
#philosophy #epistemology #reality #skeptic
Michael Shermer is one of the world's most prominent sceptics and defenders of scientific reason. He's the founding publisher of the widely read Sceptic Magazine, and the executive director of the Sceptics Society.
The Institute of Art and Ideas features videos and articles from cutting edge thinkers discussing the ideas that are shaping the world, from metaphysics to string theory, technology to democracy, aesthetics to genetics. Subscribe today! iai.tv/subscribe?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=michael-shermer-reality-doesnt-care-what-you-think
For debates and talks: iai.tv
For articles: iai.tv/articles
For courses: iai.tv/iai-academy/courses
