The Demon-Haunted World Science as a Candle in the Dark

Still incredibly topical and just well written

Bewertung am 16.08.2024
Bewertungsnummer: 2269105
Bewertet: Buch (Taschenbuch)

Sagan‘s book is, at the time of this review, 28 years old. Its age is reflected in actual numbers quoted only, as specific dollar-values and numbers of demographic contexts change with time. The content that Professor Sagan delivered with this book, however, is as topical as can be, especially from the perspective of a post-COVID-world in which pseudoscience, conspiracy theories and distrust in academic institutions seem to proliferate more strongly than even before. Carl Sagan draws a picture of human beings as curious, yet sadly prejudiced individuals. He comments on specific pseudoscientific hypotheses & conspiracy theories, debunks those, addresses weaknesses in (1996’s) standards in science education that still persist up to today, explains certain logical fallacies, gives brief lessons on the history of anti-scientific thinking and even utters surprisingly modern commentary on sexism and racism at a few places in the book. (A pleasant surprise for a book currently nearly three decades old.) In brief, this book is incredibly valuable to anyone wanting to understand pseudoscientific thinking, the shortcomings of scientific education, logical fallacies and for those interested in Sagan’s (and partially Ann Druyan’s) writing which makes all these subjects easily digestible.

Science is far from being the perfect instrument for explaining the universe. It's just the best we have. (Carl Sagan)

Bewertung am 14.11.2018
Bewertungsnummer: 286862
Bewertet: Buch (Taschenbuch)

Carl Sagan was one of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century. In this book he explains why science is the best method of understanding how the universe works. And he describes tools for detecting baloney that comes in all shapes and colours. A must-read in our time of fake-news and for everyone interested in "the fine art of baloney detection".