The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark Hardback - 1996
by Carl Sagan; Sagan
Reader reviews for The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Review summary
Readers largely praise Sagan’s rigorous defense of scientific skepticism and critical thinking, highlighting its educational value and lasting relevance to politics, education, and civic life. Many, however, say the book shows its age, faulting an extended focus on UFOs and 1990s pseudoscience, some dry or pedantic stretches, and a few digressive chapters; a minority also bristle at his treatment of religion. Overall, sentiment skews positive—seen as instructive and provocative—tempered by complaints about dated examples and length.
Readers say this book is:
thought-provokingeducationalrelevantdatedpedanticdry in partsquotablecompellingrepetitiveskepticalI first read this book when it was new, enjoying it immensely. With Biblio, a used copy is a bargain. In the years now passed, "The Demon-Haunted World" has lost none of its value. Thanks to the wisdom and writing skill of its author, Carl Sagan, this book is a delightful refutation of the superstition that pervades many societies. His "baloney-detector" is classic; it can be compared to the logic courses provided in many first-year studies in Catholic colleges. On the one hand, the Christian faith and its elucidation, theology, uses its own method of thinking. Certainly, in the Catholic and the neo-scholastic tradition in particular, sound theology can stand up well, to the thinking person. For example, the Catholic Church, since the early twentieth century, has not only accepted evolution but provided a sensible rationale for it from the standpoint of faith. That rationale is based on a biblical hermeneutic that's very different from that of the Protestant fundamentalists. Should the author of this book be exposed to such theology, I think he would be open to it. On the other hand, Sagan is a master at expounding his own empirical philosophy and the scientific method itself. Both philosophy and method are critical for proper experimentation and knowledge of the sciences. The author is undoubtedly correct in that the natural wonder of the universe itself is far more inspiring than the fantasies that preoccupy so many. Above all, for its clear, cogent, and compelling writing, this book is well worthy of recommendation. --Michael Gilligan, Ph.D.
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First line
Details
- Title The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
- Author Carl Sagan; Sagan
- Binding Hardback
- Edition First Edition
- Pages 457
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Random House (NY), New York
- Publication date March 5, 1996
- ISBN 9780394535128 / 039453512X
- Weight 1.79 lbs (0.81 kg)
- Dimensions 9.56 x 6.56 x 1.45 in (24.28 x 16.66 x 3.68 cm)
- Category Science
- Library of Congress subjects Science - Methodology - Popular works, Science - Study and teaching - Popular works
- Library of Congress Catalogue Number 95034076
- Dewey Decimal Code 501
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