The Sceptical Biologist PDF Download

Author: Joseph Needham
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biology
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Author: Joseph Needham
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biology
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Author: Joseph Needham
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 282

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Author: David Cook
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1524601829
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
Is the life unexamined by the fMRI not worth living? Can biology replace the humanities in capturing what it means to be human? Biomythology levels the playing field of skepticism, doing for Darwin and science what Richard Dawkins has attempted for God and religion. This irreverent romp reasons: "Once upon a time there were nine planetsscientific truth rests on the faith that future discoveries will not turn today's facts into tomorrow's fairytales." "Science is the art of arranging observations to fit theory. When applied to alter minds rather than matter, the evidence can be as convincing as a serial killer's smile on your first date." "With prenatal testing building better bell curves by controlling the gateway to our brave new world, eugenics is thriving." Biomythology will teach the skeptic to recognize over twenty rhetorical devices of scientific persuasion that can be borrowed to change our worldviews rather than the world we view.

Author: Noël Joseph Terence Montgomery NEEDHAM
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Author: Noël Joseph Terence Montgomery NEEDHAM
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Author: Gregory J. Feist
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300133480
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 336

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Book Description
In this book, Gregory Feist reviews and consolidates the scattered literatures on the psychology of science, then calls for the establishment of the field as a unique discipline. He offers the most comprehensive perspective yet on how science came to be possible in our species and on the important role of psychological forces in an individual’s development of scientific interest, talent, and creativity. Without a psychological perspective, Feist argues, we cannot fully understand the development of scientific thinking or scientific genius. The author explores the major subdisciplines within psychology as well as allied areas, including biological neuroscience and developmental, cognitive, personality, and social psychology, to show how each sheds light on how scientific thinking, interest, and talent arise. He assesses which elements of scientific thinking have their origin in evolved mental mechanisms and considers how humans may have developed the highly sophisticated scientific fields we know today. In his fascinating and authoritative book, Feist deals thoughtfully with the mysteries of the human mind and convincingly argues that the creation of the psychology of science as a distinct discipline is essential to deeper understanding of human thought processes.

Author: Michael Shermer
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
ISBN: 1627791396
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 300

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Collected essays from bestselling author Michael Shermer's celebrated columns in Scientific American For fifteen years, bestselling author Michael Shermer has written a column in Scientific American magazine that synthesizes scientific concepts and theory for a general audience. His trademark combination of deep scientific understanding and entertaining writing style has thrilled his huge and devoted audience for years. Now, in Skeptic, seventy-five of these columns are available together for the first time; a welcome addition for his fans and a stimulating introduction for new readers.

Author: Alan Levinovitz
Publisher: Beacon Press
ISBN: 080701088X
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Illuminates the far-reaching harms of believing that natural means “good,” from misinformation about health choices to justifications for sexism, racism, and flawed economic policies. People love what’s natural: it’s the best way to eat, the best way to parent, even the best way to act—naturally, just as nature intended. Appeals to the wisdom of nature are among the most powerful arguments in the history of human thought. Yet Nature (with a capital N) and natural goodness are not objective or scientific. In this groundbreaking book, scholar of religion Alan Levinovitz demonstrates that these beliefs are actually religious and highlights the many dangers of substituting simple myths for complicated realities. It may not seem like a problem when it comes to paying a premium for organic food. But what about condemnations of “unnatural” sexual activity? The guilt that attends not having a “natural” birth? Economic deregulation justified by the inherent goodness of “natural” markets? In Natural, readers embark on an epic journey, from Peruvian rainforests to the backcountry in Yellowstone Park, from a “natural” bodybuilding competition to a “natural” cancer-curing clinic. The result is an essential new perspective that shatters faith in Nature’s goodness and points to a better alternative. We can love nature without worshipping it, and we can work toward a better world with humility and dialogue rather than taboos and zealotry.

Author: Duncan Pritchard
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198829167
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 137

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Book Description
Throughout history scepticism and the urge to question accepted truths has been a powerful force for change and growth. Today, as we are bombarded by adverts, scientific studies praising the latest superfoods, and political rhetoric, a healthy amount of scepticism is widely encouraged. But when is such scepticism legitimate - for example, as a driver of new ideas - and when is it problematic? And what role might adopting a sceptical outlook play in leading an intellectually virtuous life? In this Very Short Introduction Duncan Pritchard explores both the advantages of scepticism, in challenging outdated notions, and also how it can have unhelpful social consequences, in generating distrust. He considers the role of scepticism at the source of contemporary social and political movements such as climate change denial, post-truth politics, and fake news. Pritchard also examines the philosophical arguments for a radical form of scepticism which maintains that knowledge is impossible, and explores some of the main responses to these arguments. Finally, he considers the part scepticism might play in applying better thinking and learning to achieve a more meaningful life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.