sceptical

Even fully paid-up members of the Enlightenment, people who would not for a moment deny humanity's simian ancestry, are often sceptical.

Carry traders were lulled into a false sense of security, while more sceptical competitors joined in for fear of underperforming.

One sceptical analyst says: "The bottom will come when everyone at last gives up ever trying to find it. "

When MicroPort, a Chinese upstart, came out with products that were 40% cheaper, he recalls, doctors were initially sceptical.

Slovakia, a more conservative place, tends to adopt a more sceptical approach to liberal innovations like relaxing drug laws.

He said he did not expect to get a permit before next spring: "People are very, very sceptical. "

He came to power in 2006 sceptical of Canada's traditional multilateralism ( "a weak-nation strategy" , he said) and of the UN itself.

The UK, while sceptical about certain aspects of the European project, has always been a staunch supporter of the single market.

However there has been a sceptical response from parts of both the food production industry and the agricultural research community.

Traders are understandably sceptical that the BoJ will be able to keep the yen down in these circumstances.

Will all this be enough? So far, investors seem sceptical: Starbucks' share price remains barely a quarter of its all-time high in 2006.

Indeed, the new pontiff was known to be sceptical of the value of that inter-religious dialogue dear to the heart of his predecessor.

Or perhaps they were simply sceptical of any attempt to predict the economic impact of the disease.

It will be interesting to see if such sceptics are willing to be equally sceptical about ancient data when they support their point of view.

And sceptical students scoffing at his protestations of fiscal rectitude did not stop Mr Geithner claiming Chinese backing for US policies.

In fact, the idea of Mr Clegg as a map re-drawer is part of what makes some Lib Dems sceptical about him.

With the zoo world's rather mediocre record on conservation, one might be forgiven for being slightly sceptical about such an advertisement.

When my housemate asked me to go along to a bunch of pole dancing classes with her, I admit I was sceptical.

He says he will consider the general's request for troops with a "sceptical" mindset even though it should have come as no surprise.

But America, for one, is sceptical about any attempt to woo the Taliban leadership before NATO is in a stronger military position.

When the professor had the opportunity to hear Walter Pavlo speak he was sceptical of its positive effects.

Traditional Chinese medicine has long been a source of wonder abroad, but many are sceptical of its curative effects.

You may now be concluding that the sceptical tone of this column does not leave me much scope to say something useful.

I also remain sceptical of Prof Buiter's proposed extension of the Bank's role to becoming a true "market-maker- of-last-resort" .

Half of cot deaths are linked to bed-sharing but many parents are sceptical about the risk, studies have concluded.

For a while, Clarke even made a modest living as a professional sceptical enquirer.

Mike Stephenson of the British Geological Survey is sceptical that accurate predictions can be made from Cuadrilla's two drill points.

In a television interview he described archaeologists of a more sceptical bent as "fucking colleagues" who were simply jealous.

I have always been very sceptical of any form of optimisation.

Even the International Monetary Fund, which has always been sceptical when it comes to capital controls, has been very quiet on this issue.

But defence analysts are also sceptical about whether, if the missile was to approach Hawaii, the US is capable of intercepting it.

But Marc Smart, at Citigroup, said he was highly sceptical of the extreme share price rises.

Mr Mubarak's lawyer insists the former president is seriously ill. Our correspondent says many Egyptians are sceptical about this.

Former prosecutors also urge judges to be more sceptical about the word of prosecutors and the police.

Full technical details of the design are not available but at least one mechanical engineer is sceptical.

Some German policymakers, previously sceptical of EMU, fretted that any repeat of the crisis would be a threat to the single market.

Mr Cameron is said to be deeply sceptical about the purpose and efficacy of the war in Afghanistan.

The subsequent bursting of that bubble led business people to be deeply sceptical about its alleged virtues.

His poll ratings have fallen as Italians have becoming increasingly sceptical about his blithe assurances on the state of the economy.

Most were sceptical and even I concede that the transition occurred with greater speed than I anticipated.

The initial reaction of law students and laymen alike, when they are first told about international law, is usually highly sceptical.

Sceptical fund managers have been forced into a position of being "fully invested and scared as hell. "

But Republicans are increasingly sceptical of any new infrastructure spending.

Another tactic used by the administration to sell health reform to a sceptical public is to trumpet tangible benefits the law will bring.

Allies who took the risk to back the project, and tried to convince their sceptical publics of its value, have been left exposed.

More sceptical, self-reliant, ambitious and socially engaged than their elders, they have grown impatient for a voice and a role.

To be honest, in the beginning we were very sceptical ourselves.

AFTER all the blood and blunders, people are right to be sceptical when good news is announced from Iraq.

"When I first started this job, prospective recruits were sceptical about joining, " he said.

Netanyahu said he was ready for talks with the Palestinians but was sceptical about what they could achieve.

Meanwhile, America, far from dreaming up R2P as a crafty way of justifying imperialist adventures, was initially rather sceptical.

If jittery politicians are looking for another argument to sway sceptical voters, how about this?

Mr Obama faces three sceptical constituencies: Republicans, fiscal conservatives in his own party, and the markets.

At the other end of the spectrum, sceptical reports point to the DPJ's more liberal attitudes as a potential source of trouble.

But experts are right to be sceptical: transistors may get ever smaller, but in chipmaking scale rules.

There was also some support from words of support for the eurozone from China, although analysts were generally sceptical.

A psychologist admitted that he was sceptical when he signed up for the course at CLLC.

Human-rights campaigners are deeply sceptical that the investigation into her death will uncover the truth behind her killing.

Firms could also be obliged to keep memorandums setting out the rationale for key judgments to encourage clear and sceptical thinking.

Officials in Berlin are privately sceptical that Commerzbank can keep to its pledge to shore up its capital without using more state funds.

Critics of the move are said to be sceptical that cooperation really means cooperation, and that a takeover will not result.

Analysts and insiders were sceptical over whether the pairing of what many see as two mediocre performers could create a financial champion.

The speech was a last-ditch attempt by Mr Bush to persuade a sceptical Congress to remain committed to a deeply unpopular war.

Some analysts remain sceptical of a "World Cup effect" , arguing that it merely brings forward spending.

While sceptical observers may consider it a sport for demented masochists, the reality is that they don't know what they're missing.

If he ends up in health or education, they will be sceptical.

Labour wants to promise five guarantees in its manifesto aimed at winning over a sceptical electorate in the post-expenses world.

He was like a sceptical voyager strolling on the beach while he waited for the tide.

Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, in particular, is sceptical about the idea of borrowing and spending as a way to recovery.

Michael Geoghegan, chief executive of HSBC, this week told the FT he was also sceptical about the risk of a property bubble.

And although Berks is somewhat nicer than Hutto, immigrants'-rights groups are still sceptical about keeping children in detention at all.

Both are equally sceptical that the increase in adjustable-rate mortgages made short-term rates a more potent driver of house prices.

It was passionate, which is essential if he is to win over a sceptical American public and energise his liberal base.

Voters have become more sceptical about major political parties since the Gary Cheng Kai-nam scandal broke, according to a poll.

Lyrical poetry, sceptical philosophical-moral aphorisms, often with a political subtext.

But he remains sceptical of the company's overall branding effort.

Both are equally sceptical that the increase in adj us table-rate mortgages made short-term rates a more potent driver of ho use prices.

We would be sceptical to any broad-brush solution.

And conservative America, once solidly sceptical, is now split over the issue.

Amnesty International China campaigner Sophie Peer was also sceptical of the motives behind the new rules.

In general I have been quite sceptical about the internet's supposedly transformative effect on politics, at least in Britain.

He pleaded with Republicans and sceptical Democrats to put politics aside and support the budget.

National regulatory authorities, including in Germany, have been sceptical about ceding supervisory powers to the ECB.

The Goldman boss said that he and his rivals had been insufficiently sceptical of loose credit standards.

Sceptical Poles, scarred by their dealings with suspicious, nit-picking bureaucrats, may take some convincing of this.

Physicists said they would be sceptical of the finding until other laboratories confirmed the result.

Though sceptical of any magical effects, these subjects felt more confident, secure and optimistic about the future.

Mr Christie is sceptical about climate change. He refused to reappoint a state Supreme Court justice.

WHEN Massachusetts forged ahead with a plan for universal health coverage for all its citizens, many were sceptical.

Some of the president's allies in Congress are sceptical or even hostile towards it.

America's main antitrust regulator, the Department of Justice (DoJ), is rightly sceptical of the notion that collusion benefits consumers.

After every crisis bankers and investors tend to forget that it is their duty to be sceptical, not optimistic.

Sceptical customers and counterparties would still need to be convinced to deal with the new company.

Will Brownsberger, a drug policy specialist who sits as a Democrat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, is sceptical.

Even the sceptical British say that the "remorseless logic" of monetary union is greater fiscal union.

Having Michelle at his side helped reassure sceptical blacks that he was really one of them.

Economists, however, are sceptical about the strength of the recovery for the rest of the year.

However, John Mathis of the Thunderbird Global Financial Services Centre in Glendale, Arizona, remains sceptical.

There part of the "reintegration" strategy that military planners are gambling will win over sceptical Afghans.

Now, Germany's increasingly sceptical Bundestag (lower house of parliament) is about to weigh in.

He is sceptical about a guest-worker programme with just one or two Mexican states, but open to it.

Several outside experts, however, are sceptical, and say that the paper's conclusions overstep its data.

Senior officials have been sceptical over the past month about whether similar action by the ECB and the Fed was effective.

As well as lawyers, Dickens was also deeply sceptical about philanthropists.

Officials at SOM admit that recruiters can be somewhat sceptical when they first meet these relatively untested MBA graduates.

Yes, But How Do You Know? : Introducing Philosophy Through Sceptical Ideas.

But to the extent they do see market concerns about government deficits, they appear sceptical that there is a monetary solution to this.

the over-leveraging and under pricing of risk ". * Even those who are sceptical of this agree that the US needs export-led growth. "

However, many analysts are sceptical that the optimistic forecasts will pan out, given the limited driving ranges and high initial price.

Detroiters are sceptical of anything foisted on them by outsiders. Who should lead change and gather support for it?

Mr Lee, however, has been among the many South Koreans deeply sceptical about its perceived benefits.

GIVEN that China is the world's biggest carbon emitter, it is fair to be sceptical of its claims to greenery.

Even sceptical and hard-nosed Western diplomats and analysts have been surprised by the pace of change.

As for his record, he was sceptical about the Iraq surge and admonished Israel during its war with Lebanon, which cheered his party's doves.

However, a second branch of financial economics is far more sceptical about markets' inherent rationality.

Lebanon is already publicly sceptical, and Gabon has called for a negotiated solution.

The practitioners say that the need for action is now urgent, but given the Government's foot-dragging, they are worried and sceptical.

It found that middle managers were sceptical of the claimed benefits and were worried about unintended consequences.

Americans are increasingly worried about poverty, but are sceptical about government bureaucracies .

I have to admit that when work started on these I was very sceptical but I'm delighted to have been proven wrong.

Environmentalist Ma Jun says that the public has become increasingly sceptical of the official data.

That's why I was a bit reserved at the beginning, maybe even a bit sceptical, considering the training contents, for example.

It is hardly surprising, then, that Mr Zapatero's government is mistrustful or that Spaniards as a whole are sceptical.

But it resonates just now, with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton both sceptical about international trade agreements.

But scholars who comb the available data about suicide attacks are often sceptical about religion's role.

Mr Bowen is sceptical about the value of an MBA as a guarantee to a fast-track career.

Prophets of a sceptical bent say all this is futile because they knew all along the single currency was doomed.

Where they are justified, the right policies must be sold to a sceptical public.

While officials trumpeted the latest jump in retail sales yesterday, economists are sceptical of the figures.

But in the White House he is surrounded by orthodox economists who are sceptical of industrial policy and protectionism.

Detectives were sceptical when Thomas claimed he had been asleep.

The public is hostile to that idea and the courts have been sceptical.

The public remain sceptical of these claims.

Finally, nothing can replace the sceptical (but fair) assessment of an experienced Co-editor.

Outsiders are awed by the Balts' determination, though sceptical that the sacrifice will pay off.

However companies and analysts were sceptical that the new capital controls would limit illegal capital flows.

And in countries like China where respect for the state ran deep, people were also sceptical of private efforts to do good.

He was sceptical, meanwhile, about the potential of European rail liberalisation to produce the once-expected surge of orders there.

Mr Rasmussen thinks this should convince members' sometimes sceptical publics that NATO can protect them against new threats.

I'm rather sceptical about their professed sympathy for the poor.

Bill Purdy was fairly sceptical about union ever being achieved, but remained committed to the ecumenical cause until his death.

Many Western observers are sympathetic to the protesters but sceptical of their strength and coherence.

Domineering chief executives often fill their boards with cheerleaders, and rarely seek sceptical counsel.

It was not long before a more sceptical view reasserted itself.

Gradually, though, particularly from watching Argentinian football, I've become less sceptical.

Hence we might turn towards the "post-sceptical rationalism" of so-called "discourse ethics" , as in Habermas and Apel.

Economists are sceptical about whether this will produce new spending, but the scheme is being watched closely by other Asian governments.

His experience left him sceptical, sometimes hostile, towards any resort to war; he vehemently opposed Tony Blair's Iraq adventure.

Traditional betting hubs like Las Vegas take a more sceptical view.

Sceptical economists showed that truly efficient markets were logically impossible.

Residents are sceptical, but only a hundred or so turned up at a demonstration a couple of days later.

Many Zimbabweans, grown sceptical over the years, shake their heads in disbelief.

SJM, which went public in July after repeatedly cutting its offering price to entice a sceptical market, has seen its valuation cut in half.

At the same time, the organisation also talked up high-speed internet services to sceptical residents, creating demand where it was slack.

They tend to be more sceptical about the notion that moderate core inflation measures give a good indication of future inflation trends.

Rick Dobbis, a business manager for the Rolling Stones, does not dismiss the concept but remains sceptical.

I am sceptical, having long regarded computer translation as one of the most reliable forms of contemporary comedy.

Some analysts are nevertheless sceptical about the prospects for Chinese vehicle makers in Europe.

However, over the past year his administration has appeared increasingly sceptical about China's ambitions.

Dimitry Pankin, Russian deputy finance minister, was also sceptical about the US initiative.

Then again, experts were equally sceptical when Cisco launched its executive telepresence systems.

Their election manifesto promised to abandon plans for new reactors. And Mr Huhne himself is particularly sceptical.

Some readers may remain sceptical about the claims that the lumbering state-owned corporate sector is making large profits.

And many military types, from General John Abizaid down, are sceptical about whether more troops would really solve the problem.

Democratic presidential candidates are taking an increasingly sceptical line on free trade.

Nicholas Smith, strategist at MF Global FXA Securities, articulates the sceptical position well.

At a Royal Society meeting earlier this year Professor Colin Pillinger, who led the Beagle 2 Mars landing mission, remained sceptical.

Needless to say, academics are sceptical.

David Cameron's aides are privately sceptical that the Sarkozy initiative will lead anywhere.

But for sceptical Western observers of Islam, his justification of suicide attacks in Israel makes him an odious figure.

We may be sceptical yet intrigued to find out more about the would-be magic methods used.

Although rivals are sceptical of Mr Humala's new-found moderation, it may yet broaden his appeal.

Nonetheless, most experts remain sceptical that the recession is already over.

They are ask users to "treat it with a sceptical eye, and report bugs and vulnerabilities. "

But many are sceptical that the hog cycle can be turned around so quickly.

CLAIMS of clairvoyance, particularly when they come from economists, deserve a sceptical reception.

Some civil engineers are sceptical about whether such instrumentation is warranted.

Perhaps that is why some people remain sceptical about the presence of any divine providence ruling over us.

Analysts, however, were almost universally sceptical.

Sceptical observers see this as an implausible outcome.

Still, in most markets local bank bosses are pretty sceptical about Western firms building Rome branch by branch.

Another difficulty will be encouraging sceptical consumers to give the technology another try.

Many opposition supporters are sceptical about reports that Mr Mubarak's health is deteriorating.

That means being sceptical about popular trends and focusing on the underlying fundamentals.

However, while some advisers are bullish on the new group, others are more sceptical.

No child is properly more sceptical of his ability.

George Bush is sceptical too, although he signed an RES while governor of Texas: he wants the issue left to the states.

Users of the Chinese microblogging service Weibo were sceptical that any investigation would result in adequate safety improvements.

Crowdy Si "goes crazy" to Hamlet is sceptical, ordered many times the royal courtier pries the actual situation.

Even the sceptical Czechs seem less doubtful about the merits of membership of the currency club.

He had observed how greatly customs and ideas vary, and he had grown sceptical.

So why now? There are plenty of reasons to be sceptical and cynical about the regime's intentions.

But some committee members are sceptical of the SFC's aim of "protecting" small investors.

It was oversold, leaving voters sceptical that more stimulus would do any good.

But lower borrowing costs are of little use if politicians remain sceptical about the merits of fiscal pump-priming.

The UK public is deeply sceptical about scientific claims for what causes or prevents cancer, a poll suggests.

When I first encountered unit testing, I was sceptical and thought it was just extra work.

No matter how grizzled or sceptical the news editor, a story is sometimes too good to resist.

How the sceptical governor will react is another matter.

Republicans are much more sceptical of currency legislation.

Within the leadership there are also plenty of officials sceptical of reform.

Many Kenyans are sceptical of assurances by outsiders that political risk has diminished.

Investors remain sceptical about the ability to get grounded economies airborne in this heavy atmosphere.

The incoming bunch of Tory candidates will create easily the most sceptical parliamentary cadre ever.

The reasons behind attempts to define what knowledge is lie in responding to sceptical arguments.

If one hears to-day that some young lady does not write poems one feels sceptical.

But banks' shares trade below their book value, suggesting that investors are sceptical.

The Competition Commission is sceptical of the unions' claims.

It is groundless and utterly wrong to be sceptical about the domestic situation and the future of the four modernizations.

The alternative view is sceptical of, or even downright hostile to, the modern food business.

The story of its origins, however, raises sceptical eyebrows.

But consultants are sceptical about how innovative companies are really being.

Stacey Widlitz, an independent retail analyst, was sceptical about whether opening early would provide a boost to overall sales.

He was sceptical of the reincarnation-claims of some of the lamas and tulkus he met.

Even more basic to the impression of assuredness is the nature of Fielding's philosophy, sceptical but optimistic.

PEOPLE are sceptical about HUD, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The few researchers who have observed cyber criminals in action are similarly sceptical about the industry's estimates.

But in sceptical Britain, the idea threatened to cause problems for President Bush's closest foreign ally.

Some commentators are sceptical about such positive findings.

It is perhaps no surprise that countries with persistent current account surpluses are sceptical.

Auto analysts were also sceptical, describing the decision to sell to Magna as political.

He is particularly sceptical of the view that unconditional budget support will work.

But many companies are sceptical about outsourcing such critical tasks.

But analysts were sceptical about the plan, questioning whether they would cut costs or clean up balance sheets.

WHEN the Japanese government revealed a hefty "new growth strategy" in June, the response was sceptical.

I have to admit, that at first sight, I was a little sceptical about the LokoHelp, but this was just the first impression.

Some observers are sceptical about the geopolitical fallout from any financial crisis.

"I am very sceptical about the idea of a Chinese bid for Rio, " says Helen Lau, at Daiwa Research Institute in Shanghai.

He was rather sceptical of big business (not least because of his concern for workers' rights).

But many economists are sceptical about whether this will produce much new spending.

And Dr Muller, for one, was mildly sceptical of its findings.

Interpreted this way, Zhuang Zi's idea is clear: it is not sceptical and sophistic as usually evaluated, but rather rich in dialectics.

Many Russians, however, are sceptical that climate change exists.

Western governments sounded sceptical as to whether he could afford to do so.

Sceptical bloggers have named the North Korean scare "the northern wind" .

For the latter are opposed to the growth of the progressive forces, while the middle section is sceptical.

In short, for all their seemingly friendly encouragement, Tory leaders are as sceptical about the euro as ever.

But the sceptical reaction of global investors will force further measures.

"When the idea first came up, I was a little sceptical, " he says.

Nuclear experts, however, are sceptical about Iran's real progress.

One should be sceptical about such projections.

Some bankers remain sceptical, saying Saudi Arabia's Byzantine politics often mean ref-orms are slow or never emerge.

Those bursaries are just one of the concessions the government added in order to persuade sceptical left-wingers to vote for the bill.

After global cotton prices fell in 2008, China's cotton farmers have become sceptical that high prices can last, he added.

Even taking their long view of history, Chinese officials may be sceptical about that.

I draw my inspiration from the more sceptical and empiricist European thinkers.

But there are good reasons to be sceptical of Europe's latest cunning plan.

Investors who are sceptical about investing further in newspapers may have lost an ally.

Still, Chris Mellor, a director of legal training consultancy VinciWorks, is sceptical.

Britain is also sceptical about the idea of a pan-European fund.