Book Reviews: Science, Technology, Philosophy of Science, Ethics
The modern world is heavily dependent upon science and technology; unfortunately, most people don't know a great deal about either. Scientific literacy is rather inadequate to modern needs and very inadequate to public debates over the politics of science, the public funding of scientific research, and the ethics of using technology.
Conversations with Carl Sagan, edited by Tom Head
Carl Sagan was one of the most important scientists of the latter half of the 20th century - not so much because of original research or ground-breaking discoveries, but because of his passion for sharing his love of science with the rest of the world.
Carl Sagan was one of the most important scientists of the latter half of the 20th century - not so much because of original research or ground-breaking discoveries, but because of his passion for sharing his love of science with the rest of the world.
Madness: A Brief History
Mental illness has a checkered past in the history of Western culture. Even today, some argue that there is no such 'illness' at all - it is instead simply a label we apply to those who for whatever reason don't fit in with the culture's prevailing notions about proper behavior.
Mental illness has a checkered past in the history of Western culture. Even today, some argue that there is no such 'illness' at all - it is instead simply a label we apply to those who for whatever reason don't fit in with the culture's prevailing notions about proper behavior.
Humankind: A Brief History
What does it mean to be human? This may sound like it should be obvious and, at one time, it was - but not anymore. Science has blurred the once sharp biological distinctions between humans and other primates. Science has also blurred the behavioral differences between humans and other animals.
What does it mean to be human? This may sound like it should be obvious and, at one time, it was - but not anymore. Science has blurred the once sharp biological distinctions between humans and other primates. Science has also blurred the behavioral differences between humans and other animals.
A Brief History of the Mind: From Apes to Intellect and Beyond
Scholars and scientists have, over the years, suggested a number of supposedly 'human' qualities that are claimed to sharply differentiate us from the rest of the animal kingdom. All have, upon further research, proven untenable - but the most common and the one quality that many assume almost instinctually to be particularly 'human' is our intellect.
Scholars and scientists have, over the years, suggested a number of supposedly 'human' qualities that are claimed to sharply differentiate us from the rest of the animal kingdom. All have, upon further research, proven untenable - but the most common and the one quality that many assume almost instinctually to be particularly 'human' is our intellect.
Science Wars: Debating Scientific Knowledge and Technology
Every day, people in America make extensive use of technology and science, often when they aren't aware of it. Science and technology are arguably two of the most important creations of humanity. Yet perhaps only 'arguably,' because some argue that neither are as great as imagined. Instead, they are false idols or even con jobs perpetuated by an elite. Who is right, and why do debates occur?
Every day, people in America make extensive use of technology and science, often when they aren't aware of it. Science and technology are arguably two of the most important creations of humanity. Yet perhaps only 'arguably,' because some argue that neither are as great as imagined. Instead, they are false idols or even con jobs perpetuated by an elite. Who is right, and why do debates occur?
Controlling Technology: Contemporary Issues
Most discussions about the ethics of using technology tend to focus narrowly on issues of bioethics - medicine, biological research, and so on. That does not, however, exhaust all of the ethical dilemmas which involve modern technology. There are in fact even more fundamental questions about the nature of technology, our relationship to it, and the role it should play in our society.
Most discussions about the ethics of using technology tend to focus narrowly on issues of bioethics - medicine, biological research, and so on. That does not, however, exhaust all of the ethical dilemmas which involve modern technology. There are in fact even more fundamental questions about the nature of technology, our relationship to it, and the role it should play in our society.
Science, Money, and Politics
Science, Money, and Politics: Scientific research consumes billions of taxpayer dollars each year. Ideally, this money would be allocated based upon which research projects are the most promising and beneficial. Ideally, allocation would be a matter of science, not politics. But is that how things actually are?
Science, Money, and Politics: Scientific research consumes billions of taxpayer dollars each year. Ideally, this money would be allocated based upon which research projects are the most promising and beneficial. Ideally, allocation would be a matter of science, not politics. But is that how things actually are?
Travels in Four Dimensions: The Enigmas of Space and Time
Space and time are the foundations of our existence, our experiences, and our lives. Nothing is more fundamental than they, and probably because of that, nothing is more capable of producing paradox and confusion than attempted reflection on their nature. Just what are space and time, how do they operate, and do they even 'really' exist?
Space and time are the foundations of our existence, our experiences, and our lives. Nothing is more fundamental than they, and probably because of that, nothing is more capable of producing paradox and confusion than attempted reflection on their nature. Just what are space and time, how do they operate, and do they even 'really' exist?
Is Nature Supernatural?
Modern science - and especially modern physics and quantum mechanics - can be very difficult to understand, in part because they describe ideas which can appear very strange to us. Does this justify relying upon supernatural and mystical explanations for the universe, however?
Modern science - and especially modern physics and quantum mechanics - can be very difficult to understand, in part because they describe ideas which can appear very strange to us. Does this justify relying upon supernatural and mystical explanations for the universe, however?
Einstein's Luck
A common perception of science tends to focus upon a few great figures who stand out from the crowd, leading their colleagues to new frontiers of discovery through the brilliance of their insights and tenacity of their research. Although this is surely sometimes the case, it is perhaps less often the true than most people assume.
A common perception of science tends to focus upon a few great figures who stand out from the crowd, leading their colleagues to new frontiers of discovery through the brilliance of their insights and tenacity of their research. Although this is surely sometimes the case, it is perhaps less often the true than most people assume.