The Undergrowth Of Science Delusion Self Deception And Human Frailty
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The Undergrowth Of Science
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Author : Walter Bruno Gratzer
language : en
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Release Date : 2001-09-13
The Undergrowth Of Science written by Walter Bruno Gratzer and has been published by Oxford University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2001-09-13 with Political Science categories.
The themes are scientific mistakes and foibles. Gratzer describes for a general readership a number of episodes in science and medicine where an erroneous research finding was adhered to and given credence by its originators and others, far beyond the point where it had been effectively discredited. Each of these episodes is dealt with in detail, with special attention given to the individuals involved, their careers and personalities, their relations with others, and so on.
The Undergrowth Of Science Delusion Self Deception And Human Frailty
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Author : Walter Gratzer
language : en
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Release Date : 2001-09-13
The Undergrowth Of Science Delusion Self Deception And Human Frailty written by Walter Gratzer and has been published by OUP Oxford this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2001-09-13 with Science categories.
Walter Gratzer's themes in the stories he relates in this book are collective delusion and human folly. Science is generally seen as a process bound by rigorous rules, which its practitioners must not transgress. Deliberate fraud occasionally intrudes, but it is soon detected, the perpetrators cast out and the course of discovery barely disturbed. Far more interesting are the outbreaks of self-delusion that from time to time afflict upright and competent researchers, and then spread like an epidemic or mass-hysteria through a sober and respectable scientific community. When this happens the rules by which scientists normally govern their working lives are suddenly suspended. Sometimes these episodes are provoked by personal vanity, an unwillingness to acknowledge error or even contemplate the possibility that a hard-won success is a will o' the wisp; at other times they stem from loyalty to a respected and trusted guru, or even from patriotic pride; and, worst of all, they may be a consequence of a political ideology which imposes its own interpretation on scientists' observations of the natural world. Unreason and credulity supervene, illusory phenomena are described and measured, and theories are developed to explain them - until suddenly, often for no single reason, the bubble bursts, leaving behind it a residue of acrimony, recrimination, embarrassment, and ruined reputations. Here, then, are radiations, measured with high precision yet existing only in the minds of those who observed them; the Russian water, which some thought might congeal the oceans; phantom diseases that called for heroic surgery; monkey testis implants that restored the sexual powers of ageing roues and of tired sheep; truths about genetics and about the nature of matter, perceptible only to Aryan scientists in the Third Reich or Marxist ideologues in the Soviet Union; and much more. The Undergrowth of Science explores, in terms accessible to the lay reader, the history of such episodes, up to our own time, in all their absurdity, tragedy, and pathos.
The Undergrowth Of Science Delusion Self Deception And Human Frailty
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Author : Walter Gratzer
language : en
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Release Date : 2001-09-13
The Undergrowth Of Science Delusion Self Deception And Human Frailty written by Walter Gratzer and has been published by OUP Oxford this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2001-09-13 with Science categories.
Walter Gratzer's themes in the stories he relates in this book are collective delusion and human folly. Science is generally seen as a process bound by rigorous rules, which its practitioners must not transgress. Deliberate fraud occasionally intrudes, but it is soon detected, the perpetrators cast out and the course of discovery barely disturbed. Far more interesting are the outbreaks of self-delusion that from time to time afflict upright and competent researchers, and then spread like an epidemic or mass-hysteria through a sober and respectable scientific community. When this happens the rules by which scientists normally govern their working lives are suddenly suspended. Sometimes these episodes are provoked by personal vanity, an unwillingness to acknowledge error or even contemplate the possibility that a hard-won success is a will o' the wisp; at other times they stem from loyalty to a respected and trusted guru, or even from patriotic pride; and, worst of all, they may be a consequence of a political ideology which imposes its own interpretation on scientists' observations of the natural world. Unreason and credulity supervene, illusory phenomena are described and measured, and theories are developed to explain them - until suddenly, often for no single reason, the bubble bursts, leaving behind it a residue of acrimony, recrimination, embarrassment, and ruined reputations. Here, then, are radiations, measured with high precision yet existing only in the minds of those who observed them; the Russian water, which some thought might congeal the oceans; phantom diseases that called for heroic surgery; monkey testis implants that restored the sexual powers of ageing roues and of tired sheep; truths about genetics and about the nature of matter, perceptible only to Aryan scientists in the Third Reich or Marxist ideologues in the Soviet Union; and much more. The Undergrowth of Science explores, in terms accessible to the lay reader, the history of such episodes, up to our own time, in all their absurdity, tragedy, and pathos.
Publishing And The Advancement Of Science
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Author : Michael Rodgers
language : en
Publisher: World Scientific
Release Date : 2013-12-30
Publishing And The Advancement Of Science written by Michael Rodgers and has been published by World Scientific this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2013-12-30 with Language Arts & Disciplines categories.
Popular science books, selling in their thousands — even millions — help us appreciate breakthroughs in understanding the natural world, while highlighting the cultural importance of scientific knowledge. Textbooks bring these same advances to students; the scientists of tomorrow. But how do these books come about? And why are some of them so spectacularly successful? This is the first ever insider's account of science publishing, written by an editor intimately involved in the publication of some of the most famous bestsellers in the field. Michael Rodgers reveals the stories behind these extraordinary books, providing a behind-the-scenes view of the world of books, authors and ideas. These vivid and engaging narratives illuminate not only the challenges of writing about science, but also how publishing itself works and the creative collaboration between authors and editors that lies at its heart. The book (like many of those it describes) is intended for a wide readership. It will interest people in publishing, past and present, and also academics and students on publishing courses. Scientists exploring territories outside their own speciality will enjoy it, while there is invaluable advice for those planning their first popular book or textbook. It will also appeal to readers with a humanities background who, finding the concepts of science intriguing, want to know more about how they are developed and communicated. Contents:Foreword (Richard Dawkins)PrologueHawking, Einstein, and Popular ScienceDiscovering the World of Science and ScientistsFalling Under the Spell of the Selfish GeneThe Origins and Evolution of the College Science Textbook, and the Birth of a SuperstarA Companion to the Mind, and Science in the Vegetable Gardenr- and K-Selection, and the Extended PhenotypeThe Blind Watchmaker, and the Universe in Twenty ObjectsBill Hamilton and John Maynard Smith: Working with Two Giants of Evolutionary BiologyThe Best Textbook of Organic Chemistry I Ever Hold in My HandsScientific Anecdotes, the Ten Great Ideas of Science, ‘Science Writing at Its Best’EpilogueNotes and ReferencesIndex Readership: The general public and students who are interested in the relationship between science and publishing. Key Features:This is the first book to tell the stories behind the publishing of some key science books that became world-famous bestsellers: stories that are fascinating, providing a genuinely exhilarating read. Some of these are stories that have become important pieces of publishing historyContains practical advice for scientists contemplating writing themselves, either a popular science book or a textbook. This advice is communicated indirectly in the context of real books, not directly as in a manualThis book contains a Foreword writer Richard Dawkins together with the stories behind the writing and the publishing of several of his famous booksKeywords:Popular Science;Popularization of Science;Public Understanding of Science;Book Publishing;History of Book Publishing;History of ScienceReviews:“It is a useful source on what life used to be like in the world of serious people working to help serve serious readers, and sometimes succeeding beyond their expectations.”The Times Higher Education “This book is a helpful guide for academic authors who are poised to send a proposal to a publisher.”The Observatory Magazine “This book is unique. There are now university courses on publishing and Rodgers' book will no doubt be required reading, but it deserves a wider audience by virtue of the human interest stories, which he tells.”Chemistry & Industry “Rodgers breathes life into his reminiscences, which carry the reader along. His account offers some interesting glimpses into a little-seen world, which might inspire budding writers to start their own bestsellers.” Chemistry World “Those interested in the world of publishing, with a special interest in science, will find much to like about this book.” CERN Courier
Hitler S Scientists
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Author : John Cornwell
language : en
Publisher: Penguin UK
Release Date : 2013-09-26
Hitler S Scientists written by John Cornwell and has been published by Penguin UK this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2013-09-26 with History categories.
In a rich and fascinating history John Cornwell tells the epic story of Germany's scientists from the First World War to the collapse of Hitler's Reich. He shows how Germany became the world's Mecca for inventive genius, taking the lion's share of Nobel awards, before Hitler's regime hijacked science for wars of conquest and genocidal racism. Cornwell gives a dramatic account of the wide ranging Nazi research projects, from rockets to nuclear weapons; the pursuit of advanced technology for irrational ends, concluding with with penetrating relevance for today: the inherent dangers of science without conscience.
Stalin And The Scientists
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Author : Simon Ings
language : en
Publisher: Open Road + Grove/Atlantic
Release Date : 2017-02-21
Stalin And The Scientists written by Simon Ings and has been published by Open Road + Grove/Atlantic this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2017-02-21 with Science categories.
“One of the finest, most gripping surveys of the history of Russian science in the twentieth century.” —Douglas Smith, author of Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy Stalin and the Scientists tells the story of the many gifted scientists who worked in Russia from the years leading up to the revolution through the death of the “Great Scientist” himself, Joseph Stalin. It weaves together the stories of scientists, politicians, and ideologues into an intimate and sometimes horrifying portrait of a state determined to remake the world. They often wreaked great harm. Stalin was himself an amateur botanist, and by falling under the sway of dangerous charlatans like Trofim Lysenko (who denied the existence of genes), and by relying on antiquated ideas of biology, he not only destroyed the lives of hundreds of brilliant scientists, he caused the death of millions through famine. But from atomic physics to management theory, and from radiation biology to neuroscience and psychology, these Soviet experts also made breakthroughs that forever changed agriculture, education, and medicine. A masterful book that deepens our understanding of Russian history, Stalin and the Scientists is a great achievement of research and storytelling, and a gripping look at what happens when science falls prey to politics. Longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction in 2016 A New York Times Book Review “Paperback Row” selection “Ings’s research is impressive and his exposition of the science is lucid . . . Filled with priceless nuggets and a cast of frauds, crackpots and tyrants, this is a lively and interesting book, and utterly relevant today.” —The New York Times Book Review “A must read for understanding how the ideas of scientific knowledge and technology were distorted and subverted for decades across the Soviet Union.” —The Washington Post
Denying Science
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Author : John Grant
language : en
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Release Date : 2011-10-04
Denying Science written by John Grant and has been published by Prometheus Books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2011-10-04 with Science categories.
Is global warming just scaremongering by climatologists conspiring to protect their jobs? Is evolution "just a theory"? Is autism caused by vaccinations? The answer to all of these questions is, of course, no. The scientific evidence is now in, and it’s conclusive, on these and many more issues that are fundamental to our knowledge and wellbeing. But you’d never know this if all of your information came from the popular media or your upbringing and immediate circle of influence didn’t include critical thinking and basic scientific literacy. As this witty book with a very serious message shows, our culture has in recent decades been characterized by a widespread antagonism toward science and the not-always-welcome messages it brings. Large sections of the supposedly sophisticated populations in the developed nations are in an active state of denial. Not only do they deny scientific evidence but they also call into question the very competence of science as a descriptor of reality. In short, they deny reality. The author surveys the gamut of clearly unscientific ideas concerning the food we eat, the medicines and potions we are either afraid of or advised to take, our sex preferences, and a host of other issues that are raised by various panics, urban legends, and a general climate of misinformation. He also examines how special interests, from agribusiness to pharmaceutical companies to creationists, actively work to distort or suppress scientific findings. While the tendency may be to laugh at some of the ridiculous notions catalogued in the author's overview of bogus ideas, the overall picture he creates is anything but funny. This book reminds the reader that the future of free, increasingly complex societies depends on an educated citizenry that is able to think clearly and critically based on reliable information.
Religion And Science As Forms Of Life
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Author : Carles Salazar
language : en
Publisher: Berghahn Books
Release Date : 2015-01-01
Religion And Science As Forms Of Life written by Carles Salazar and has been published by Berghahn Books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2015-01-01 with Religion categories.
The relationships between science and religion are about to enter a new phase in our contemporary world, as scientific knowledge has become increasingly relevant in ordinary life, beyond the institutional public spaces where it traditionally developed. The purpose of this volume is to analyze the relationships, possible articulations and contradictions between religion and science as forms of life: ways of engaging human experience that originate in particular social and cultural formations. Contributions use this theoretical and ethnographic research to explore different scientific and religious cultures in the contemporary world.
The Awakened Ones
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Author : Gananath Obeyesekere
language : en
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Release Date : 2012-02-07
The Awakened Ones written by Gananath Obeyesekere and has been published by Columbia University Press this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2012-02-07 with Religion categories.
While a rational consciousness grasps many truths, Gananath Obeyesekere believes an even richer knowledge is possible through a bold confrontation with the stuff of visions and dreams. Spanning both Buddhist and European forms of visionary experience, he fearlessly pursues the symbolic, nonrational depths of such phenomena, reawakening the intuitive, creative impulses that power greater understanding. Throughout his career, Obeyesekere has combined psychoanalysis and anthropology to illuminate the relationship between personal symbolism and religious experience. In this book, he begins with Buddha's visionary trances wherein, over the course of four hours, he witnesses hundreds of thousands of his past births and eons of world evolution, renewal, and disappearance. He then connects this fracturing of empirical and visionary time to the realm of space, considering the experience of a female Christian penitent, who stares devotedly at a tiny crucifix only to see the space around it expand to mirror Christ's suffering. Obeyesekere follows the unconscious motivations underlying rapture, the fantastical consumption of Christ's body and blood, and body mutilation and levitation, bridging medieval Catholicism and the movements of early modern thought as reflected in William Blake's artistic visions and poetic dreams. He develops the term "dream-ego" through a discussion of visionary journeys, Carl Jung's and Sigmund Freud's scientific dreaming, and the cosmic and erotic dream-visions of New Age virtuosos, and he defines the parameters of a visionary mode of knowledge that provides a more elastic understanding of truth. A career-culminating work, this volume translates the epistemology of Hindu and Buddhist thinkers for western audiences while revitalizing western philosophical and scientific inquiry.
Phrenology And The Origins Of Victorian Scientific Naturalism
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Author : John van Wyhe
language : en
Publisher: Routledge
Release Date : 2017-05-15
Phrenology And The Origins Of Victorian Scientific Naturalism written by John van Wyhe and has been published by Routledge this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 2017-05-15 with History categories.
Through a reassessment of phrenology, Phrenology and the Origins of Victorian Scientific Naturalism sheds light on all kinds of works in Victorian Britain and America which have previously been unnoticed or were simply referred to with a vague 'naturalism of the times' explanation. It is often assumed that the scientific naturalism familiar in late nineteenth century writers such as T.H. Huxley and John Tyndall are the effects of a 'Darwinian revolution' unleashed in 1859 on an unsuspecting world following the publication of The Origin of Species. Yet it can be misleading to view Darwin's work in isolation, without locating it in the context of a well established and vigorous debate concerning scientific naturalism. Throughout the nineteenth century intellectuals and societies had been discussing the relationship between nature and man, and the scientific and religious implications thereof. At the forefront of these debates were the advocates of phrenology, who sought to apply their theories to a wide range of subjects, from medicine and the treatment of the insane, to education, theology and even economic theories. Showing how ideas about naturalism and the doctrine of natural laws were born in the early phrenology controversies in the 1820s, this book charts the spread of such views. It argues that one book in particular, The Constitution of Man in Relation to External Objects (1828) by George Combe, had an enormous influence on scientific thinking and the popularity of the 'naturalistic movement'. The Constitution was one of the best-selling books of the nineteenth century, being published continuously from 1828 to 1899, and selling more than 350,000 copies throughout the world, many times more than Dawin's The Origin of Species. By restoring Combe and his work to centre stage it provides modern scholars with a more accurate picture of the Victorians' view of their place in Nature.