Rate this book

Nonsense On Stilts: How To Tell Science From Bunk (2010)

by Massimo Pigliucci(Favorite Author)

3.84 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0226667863 (ISBN13: 9780226667867)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

University Of Chicago Press

review 1: This book discusses comprehensively the current state of the art in how to distinguish science from nonscience. All aspects of the question are covered. For example, how different kinds of sciences are done differently and thats okay, why SETI is borderline pseudoscience, how creationists have been evolving their jargon for fresh attacks over the ages, how scientists can be spectacularly wrong yet how science corrects itself in the long run, and so on. The book even ends with a salvo on Deepak Chopra. Even scientists should read this book.
review 2: If you read Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World and wanted more, read Pigliucci's Nonsense on Stilts. So many different beliefs exist ranging from apparently harmless (e.g., fairies) to extremely harmful(e.g., HIV den... moreialism). Cutting through fanciful notions to reality seems like a full time job with the pervasive effects of the media (print, TV) and the Internet. Nonsense on Stilts presents information in a very thoughtful but direct manner. Pigliucci shows the reader how question the evidence about beliefs (e.g., astrology) and use logic and open-minded skepticism to filter claims to knowledge into different categories (e.g., plausible, implausible). I always enjoy reading Nonsense on Stilts and using it for seminar. When other people first read the book you can see the wonder, awe, and appreciation for science and critical thinking. less

Download links for: Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk

Advertising