The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
by Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ann Druyan, Carl SaganEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1997-02-25
ISBN: 0345409469
Number of pages: 480
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780345409461
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Book Reviews of The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Book Review: Arguments for logic and reason
Summary: 4 Stars
Dr. Carl Sagan, the late great popularizer of all things science, takes on pseduoscience in his last book, "The Demon-Haunted World." Topics include crop circles, alien abductions, and psychic powers, just to name a few, all discussed in the context of applying logic and asking questions to explain how the scientific method works and why such topics are "baloney." Not content just to expose the BS for what it is, Sagan provides a "baloney detection kit," a number of general questions and logical fallacies to be aware of, that a reader can employ in his or her own life. Sagan writes in a easy, conversational manner, and makes his points in several different ways. Some would see this as repetitive and meandering, but I believe that Sagan did this to make sure he got his point across in one way or another to his audience- the general public.
Unfortunately, Sagan falls into some of his own baloney in constructing his arguments. I suppose you could argue this was intentional, as practice for his readers. He occasionally falls into diatribes that would befit a preacher, however. Typical of Sagan, he rips on religion for presenting non-falsifiable claims without evidence, sequestration of questioning and debate, and other things not allowed in science. Sagan does not hide his politics, which I think goes against the main argument of the book, no matter how passionately he may have felt. Nevertheless, I heartily recommend this book to everyone. The best thing you can do for yourself is to educate yourself, and this book will help you by explaining how to apply the scientific method to your daily life.
Summary of The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
"A glorious book . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought."?*Los Angeles Times
"POWERFUL . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing."
?*The Washington Post Book World
How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don't understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions.
Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today's so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning with stories of alien abduction, channeling past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms.
"COMPELLING."
?*USA Today
"A clear vision of what good science means and why it makes a difference. . . . A testimonial to the power of science and a warning of the dangers of unrestrained credulity."
?*The Sciences
"PASSIONATE."
?*San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle
Carl Sagan muses on the current state of scientific thought, which offers him marvelous opportunities to entertain us with his own childhood experiences, the newspaper morgues, UFO stories, and the assorted flotsam and jetsam of pseudoscience. Along the way he debunks alien abduction, faith-healing, and channeling; refutes the arguments that science destroys spirituality, and provides a "baloney detection kit" for thinking through political, social, religious, and other issues.
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