Fantasy and Fiction Are Okay
Skepticism does not require rejecting fiction; it only warns against confusing fiction with reality. Fantasy and storytelling are valuable for creativity, learning, and emotional experience, as long as the boundary between the imagined and the real is maintained.
THE IDEA
FANTASY AND FICTION ARE OKAY
Never think that being a good skeptic means one has to be antifantasy, hate fiction, and generally steer clear of anything that might be interpreted as make-believe. Skepticism is not opposed to things that do not exist, only to false advertising that says the fake is real. Fiction is great. Make-believe stories are wonderful. I would hate to live in a world that had no creative tales to brighten the nights and spark us to dream about what might lie over the horizon and beyond the next century. Storytelling and story-listening are big parts of being human. Made-up stories bind us together and help us to learn important things. The best fantasy and science-fiction writers seamlessly mix fiction with nonfiction to magnify ideas and lessons, making them memorable. Great stories drive us to imagine reality in new ways and then inspire us to make it so. Scary stories are mental theme-park rides that thrill us and tickle the deepest recesses of our brains to make us feel more alive.
Skepticism is not a threat or an obstacle to any of this. I’m a hardcore skeptic and I love science-fiction books and films. When I close my eyes, I see a time machine in my garage and terminator robots chasing people in the streets. I have visited a hundred planets and fought a thousand monsters—in my head. There is no contradiction here. I know many good skeptics who are neck-deep in the fantasy worlds of novels, films, or video games. It’s only a concern when people confuse the fantasy for reality. As long as you can see where one world ends and the other begins, there is no problem.
When to use it
Enjoying science fiction movies or novels without believing in the technologies or creatures portrayed.
Using fictional narratives in educational settings to illustrate real-world concepts and ethical dilemmas.
Participating in role-playing games or immersive virtual worlds while staying grounded in reality.
Watching horror films for the thrill of fear without actual belief in ghosts or monsters.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Hardcore skeptics loving science fiction
The author, a self-described hardcore skeptic, enjoys science fiction books and films, envisioning time machines and alien worlds in their imagination while clearly distinguishing these fantasies from reality.
Scary stories as mental theme-park rides
Scary stories thrill us and make us feel more alive, functioning like safe, fictional experiences that don't require belief in the supernatural.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Can you fully enjoy a fictional story while maintaining a skeptical mindset? What helps you keep the boundary clear?
Think of a time when you or someone else confused a fictional depiction with reality. How did that cause problems?
Why is storytelling an essential human activity, and how does it complement rather than undermine critical thinking?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Think (Guy P. Harrison)