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Voodoo Science Robert Park

Voodoo Science By Robert Park

Voodoo Science by Robert Park


€8.39
Condition - Very Good
Only 1 left

Summary

This title aims to be an entertainingly written examination of the social, economic, and political forces that elicit or support flawed or fake science and sustain it in the face of often overwhelming contrary evidence. 'Voodoo Science' includes pseudoscience, the misuse of science to deliberately mislead or confuse, and pathological science.

Voodoo Science Summary

Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud by Robert Park

This book examines the social, economic and political forces that elicit or support flawed or fake science and sustain it in the face of often overwhelming contrary evidence. Voodoo Science is intended to include pseudoscience, or irrational beliefs dressed up in scientific garb, the misuse of science to deliberately mislead or confuse, and pathological science, in which scientists persist with their interpretations long after the evidence has decisively ruled against them in the perspectives of an objective observer. The book attempts to delineate the contexts in which fraud can arise in science, and also to assess the trends in the Public's ability to assess scientific issues and integrate scientific understanding in their judgements and world view. The story is told through examples ranging from impossible perpetual motion machines to magnet therapy. Drawing on his eighteen years of exposing bad science, Park does not hesitate to name names and point fingers. Park lays the ultimate blame for voodoo science not on the media, the government, or the scientific illiteracy of the public, but on the scientific community itself, and the failure of scientists to communicate to the public.

Voodoo Science Reviews

'I finished this brilliant book within a day, and then felt such withdrawal symptoms I went right back to the beginning and started again.' Richard Dawkins

Table of Contents

PREFACE. 1. IT'S NOT NEWS, IT'S ENTERTAINMENT: IN WHICH THE MEDIA COVERS VOODOO SCIENCE. 2. THE BELIEF GENE: IN WHICH SCIENCE OFFERS A STRATEGY FOR SORTING OUT THE TRUTH. 3. PLACEBOS HAVE SIDE EFFECTS: IN WHICH PEOPLE TURN TO NATURAL MEDICINE. 4. THE VIRTUAL ASTRONAUT: IN WHICH PEOPLE DREAM OF ARTIFICIAL WORLDS. 5. THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW: IN WHICH CONGRESS SEEKS TO REPEAL THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS. 6. PERPETUUM MOBILE: IN WHICH PEOPLE DREAM OF INFINITE FREE ENERGY. 7. CURRENTS OF FEAR: IN WHICH POWER LINES ARE SUSPECTED OF CAUSING CANCER. 8. JUDGEMENT DAY: IN WHICH THE COURTS CONFRONT JUNK SCIENCE. 9. ONLY MUSHROOMS GROW IN THE DARK: IN WHICH VOODOO SCIENCE IS PROTECTED BY OFFICIAL SECRECY. 10. HOW STRANGE IS THE UNIVERSE?: IN WHICH ANCIENT SUPERSTITIONS REAPPEAR AS PSEUDOSCIENCE. INDEX

Additional information

GOR001941759
9780198507451
0198507453
Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud by Robert Park
Used - Very Good
Hardback
Oxford University Press
20000906
240
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - Voodoo Science