A scientific (or empirical) sceptic is one who questions the reliability of certain kinds of claims by subjecting them to a systematic investigation. The scientific method details the specific process by which this investigation of reality is conducted. Considering the rigor of the scientific method, science itself may simply be thought of as an organized form of scepticism. This does not mean that the scientific sceptic is necessarily a scientist who conducts live experiments (though this may be the case), but that the sceptic generally accepts claims that are in his/her view likely to be true based on testable hypotheses and critical thinking.

Common topics that scientifically-skeptical literature questions include health claims surrounding certain foods, procedures, and medicines, such as homeopathy, Reiki, Thought Field Therapy (TFT), vertebral subluxations; the plausibility of supernatural entities (such as ghosts, poltergeists, angels, and gods); as well as the existence of ESP/telekinesis, psychic powers, and telepathy (and thus the credibility of parapsychology); topics in cryptozoology, Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster, UFOs, crop circles, astrology, repressed memories, creationism, dowsing, conspiracy theories, and other claims the sceptic sees as unlikely to be true on scientific grounds.

Most empirical or scientific skeptics do not profess philosophical scepticism. Whereas a philosophical skeptic may deny the very existence of knowledge, an empirical sceptic merely seeks likely proof before accepting that knowledge.

 (Source: Wikipedia)

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