Superstition : belief in the age of science

著者

書誌事項

Superstition : belief in the age of science

Robert L. Park

Princeton University Press, c2008

  • : cloth

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注記

Bibliography: p. [217]-[219]

Includes index

内容説明・目次

内容説明

From uttering a prayer before boarding a plane, to exploring past lives through hypnosis, has superstition become pervasive in contemporary culture? Robert Park, the best-selling author of Voodoo Science, argues that it has. In "Superstition", Park asks why people persist in superstitious convictions long after science has shown them to be ill-founded. He takes on supernatural beliefs from religion and the afterlife to New Age spiritualism and faith-based medical claims. He examines recent controversies and concludes that science is the only way we have of understanding the world.Park sides with the forces of reason in a world of continuing and, he fears, increasing superstition. Chapter by chapter, he explains how people too easily mistake pseudoscience for science. He discusses parapsychology, homeopathy, and acupuncture; he questions the existence of souls, the foundations of intelligent design, and the power of prayer; he asks for evidence of reincarnation and astral projections; and he challenges the idea of heaven. Throughout, he demonstrates how people's blind faith, and their confidence in suspect phenomena and remedies, are manipulated for political ends. Park shows that science prevails when people stop fooling themselves. Compelling and precise, "Superstition" takes no hostages in its quest to provoke. In shedding light on some very sensitive - and Park would say scientifically dubious - issues, the book is sure to spark discussion and controversy.

目次

Introduction: Lessons from a tree vii CHAPTER ONE: A BIGGER PRIZE 1 In which we discover scientists of faith CHAPTER TWO: THE SECRET OF LIFE 23 In which Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection survives CHAPTER THREE: MIRACLE AT COLUMBIA 56 In which both sides pray for victory CHAPTER FOUR: GIVING UP THE GHOST 79 In which we search for the soul CHAPTER FIVE: THE SILENT ARMY 93 In which we search for an afterlife CHAPTER SIX: THE TSUNAMI GOD 104 In which the innocent suffer CHAPTER SEVEN: THE NEW AGE 116 In which anything goes CHAPTER EIGHT: SCHRODINGER'S GRAVE 129 In which quantum mysticism is found to be superstition CHAPTER NINE: THE BARBARY DUCK 142 In which the body heals itself CHAPTER TEN: THE DEER 161 In which the placebo effect is explained CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE MORAL LAW 188 In which we instinctively know right from wrong CHAPTER TWELVE: THE LAST BUTTERFLY 202 In which there is no place else to go Bibliography 217 Index 221

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