Or skeptical for the Americans.
It seems that every day I’m reading or hearing about another assault on science – whether it’s creationists, homeopaths, climate change deniers or the anti vax nutjobs, it seems that all the advances and achievements science and scientists have brought us in the past decades are on very shaky ground as the never ending attacks on rationality send us ever closer to a new dark age.
Fortunately though, there’s plenty of things you can do to try and stop this. Obviously the most important thing is to get informed, and to get those who aren’t aware of the issues educated. I’d suggest buying one or more of the books on my top 10 sceptical list below for yourself or as a Christmas present.
- The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins
Although it seems that most folks know either the God Delusion or The Selfish Gene, it was this book probably above all others that extinguished any faith I’ve ever had in supernatural creators. It’s the best written, clearest and most thought provoking explanation of evolution ever written. - The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan
An excellent book for non-scientists to explain in ways only Carl Sagan could why science is so important, how it works and why it’s the best method the human race has ever developed for understanding the world around them. - Why People Believe Weird Things by Michael Shermer
A good introduction to sceptical thinking and a frightening list of the truly bizarre things people believe. - The Portable Atheist by Christopher Hitchens (editor)
Sometimes being a non-believer can feel a bit lonely, particularly when you’re surrounded by devoutly religious folks. This book is a fantastic collection of writings by atheists and free-thinkers down the ages, reminding you that you’re not alone and you’re not mad. - Suckers by Rose Shapiro
I have to admit that alt.med is my own particular bugbear. Whilst I get fairly worked up with creationists and other religious fundamentalists, it’s the dangerous misinformation peddled by the alternative medicine woo-mongers that really gets my veins popping. There are so many books that cover the subject excellently (Simon Singh and Edvart Ernst’s “Trick or Treatment” and Damian Thompson’s “Counterknowlege” are two that spring to mind straight away) but Suckers is the one that I’ve “enjoyed” the most. Unlike some other authors, Rose Shapiro really doesn’t mince her words when dealing with junk science. Which I find very entertaining. - Bad Science by Ben Goldacre
An excellent discussion of the truly shoddy job most of the media does in reporting science news. - Irrationality by Stuart Sutherland
One of the best popular science books I’ve ever read, and another one to read to improve your critical thinking skills. - Meme Machine by Susan Blackmore
I couldn’t do better than quote from a review of this book on Amazon – “Buy a copy for a teenager in your life who believes in UFOs” - Unscientific America by Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum
- Climate Coverup by James Hoogan and Richard Littlemore
I’m currently reading this and the previous book on the list and enjoying them immensely. I’ll update this list with mini-reviews when I’ve finished them.
Tagged: books, skepticism