Can We Escape Metaphysical Skepticism? | Michael Tooley

*Can we reason from what we directly experience to justified beliefs about what really exists?* Michael Tooley explores whether direct acquaintance and logical probability can provide a path beyond metaphysical skepticism, while arguing that the skeptical challenge still deserves careful examination. 0:00 Starting Points Beyond Metaphysical Skepticism 1:58 Logical Probability as a Foundation 3:31 Equiprobability, Structure, and Learning From Evidence 9:35 The Limits of Inference to the Best Explanation 11:05 Induction Needs an Underpinning 13:03 From Sense Data to an External Reality *Michael Tooley* is Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder. He received a Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence in Research Award in 1998 for his book _Time, Tense, and Causation,_ and is the author of the new book _Causation: A Defense of a Non-Reductionist Approach_ (Oxford, 2026). *More from Michael Tooley on Closer To Truth:* * Closer To Truth: The Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pLLkP0kHQKL9nZh35UkgkR_ * What Things Really Exist? - CTT Interview Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFJr3pJl27pL23EJxiJggorKB66CHSAU- * Closer To Truth contributors: https://closertotruth.com/contributor/michael-tooley/ *Subscribe to Closer To Truth:* https://www.youtube.com/@CloserToTruthTV *Join the Community:* * Membership (5,000+ videos): https://closertotruth.com/register/ * Audio Podcast: https://closertotruth.podbean.com * Support the Show: https://closertotruth.com/donate/ * Official Merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/closertotruth/ *Follow Us:* * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloserToTruthTV/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/closertotruth/ * X: https://twitter.com/CloserToTruth * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@closertotruthtv Closer To Truth, created and hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, presents the world's greatest thinkers exploring humanity's deepest questions. Discover fundamental iss