The Demon-Haunted World Science as a Candle in the Dark

by Sagan, Carl; Druyan, Ann

• ISBN13: 9780345409461
• ISBN10: 0345409469
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-02-25
• Publisher: Ballantine Books

Summary

"A glorious book . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought." *Los Angeles Times "POWERFUL . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing." *The Washington Post Book World How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don't understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions. Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today's so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning with stories of alien abduction, channeling past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms. "COMPELLING." *USA Today "A clear vision of what good science means and why it makes a difference. . . . A testimonial to the power of science and a warning of the dangers of unrestrained credulity." *The Sciences "PASSIONATE." *San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle

Author Biography

Carl Sagan served as the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University. He played a leading role in the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo spacecraft expeditions, for which he received the NASA Medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and (twice) for Distinguished Public Service.
 
His Emmy- and Peabody–winning television series, Cosmos, became the most widely watched series in the history of American public television. The accompanying book, also called Cosmos, is one of the bestselling science books ever published in the English language. Dr. Sagan received the Pulitzer Prize, the Oersted Medal, and many other awards—including twenty honorary degrees from American colleges and universities—for his contributions to science, literature, education, and the preservation of the environment. In their posthumous award to Dr. Sagan of their highest honor, the National Science Foundation declared that his “research transformed planetary science . . . his gifts to mankind were infinite." Dr. Sagan died on December 20, 1996.

Table of Contents

Preface: My Teachers	xi
1. The Most Precious Thing	1	(22)
2. Science and Hope	23	(18)
3. The Man in the Moon and the Face on Mars	41	(20)
4. Aliens	61	(18)
5. Spoofing and Secrecy	79	(18)
6. Hallucinations	97	(16)
7. The Demon-Haunted World	113	(22)
8. On the Distinction Between True and False Visions	135	(16)
9. Therapy	151	(18)
10. The Dragon in My Garage	169	(20)
11. The City of Grief	189	(12)
12. The Fine Art of Baloney Detection	201	(18)
13. Obsessed with Reality	219	(26)
14. Antiscience	245	(20)
15. Newton's Sleep	265	(16)
16. When Scientists Know Sin	281	(12)
17. The Marriage of Skepticism and Wonder	293	(14)
18. The Wind Makes Dust	307	(12)
19. No Such Thing as a Dumb Question	319	(18)
20. House on Fire*	337	(16)
21. The Path to Freedom*	353	(14)
22. Significance Junkies	367	(12)
23. Maxwell and the Nerds	379	(22)
24. Science and Witchcraft*	401	(20)
25. Real Patriots Ask Questions*	421	(14)
Acknowledgments	435	(4)
References	439	(10)
Index	449