Crossword Genius

Philistine stripped and thrashed sceptic (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nihilist

'sceptic' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for nihilist that I've seen before include "Revolutionary" , "Supporter of 15 [NIX]" , "One rejecting authority, values" , "One who believes in nothing at all" , "Person who rejects all moral and religious principles - nothing really exists" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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