by jstalin 7 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Has anyone here read Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan? What a great book. He lays out the requirements for using critical thinking, and then debunks a bunch of BS - like UFOs, ESP, etc.
However, the book does go downhill when he starts into politics at the end. Regardless, I recommend the book to everyone.
Yes, I have read the book, and also had my son read it. It should be mandatory. I also agree that the latter part went down hill after he got off topic. I think his wife/co-author took over at the end.
By the way, I had to take the book to work, where it is in my desk. My wife didn't want it in the house because it had the word "demon" in the title. If only I could get her to read it.
Great topic js some excerpts here Boloney Detection Kit
Very good book, though I read it with a critical eye , knowing that Sagan was basically anti-religion. I thought he skirted the issue well enough in the book, however, that believers in traditional faiths need not feel either threatened or offended by his material. At the same time, he provided excellent tools for critical thinking that will serve anyone well, regardless of their worldview.
Carl Sagan is great when discussing the cosmos. However, when it comes to blending philosophy with his science his understanding is at a child's level and it's obvious he doesn't know what he's talking about.
I enjoyed the book. I think I would've enjoyed it more if I would've read it a number of years ago. He was preaching to the choir most of the time.
I found his continual preaching on how noble scientists are a bit tiresome. In my opinion they aren't any more noble than the rest of mankind. But then, my opinion isn't necessarily correct. It's just my opinion.
Cellist
Excellent book. The world is poorer without him. He understood people. He loved knowledge. He was maligned for trying to mix the two.
I agree, Carl is sorely missed. That, and his other books, are simply magnificent. Most of his detractors don't attempt to refute the rational arguments he presents, so they appeal to emotional hotbuttons instead.
