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Tales of the Rational: Skeptical Essays About Nature and Science
Engaging, compelling, witty essays that put in perspective some of the most fascinating scientific and pseudo-scientific claims of the 20th century. Includes discussions of: atheism, straw-man arguments, creationism, debating creationists and theists, evolutionary biology, Christian apologetics, critiques of modern science, the search for extraterrestial life, the search for the origins of life, chaos theory, and much more.
"If evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent him. His Tales of the Rational defines an intellectual space as far removed as hardcore religious fundamentalism from mainstream thinking--but it may be coming closer as scientists and skeptics launch more aggressive attacks on pseudoscience and fuzzy thinking. Pigliucci, a rising star on the evolution-creationism debate circuit, pulls out all the stops in his work, not content merely to defend science against its detractors, but eagerly undermining belief in religion and the existence of any gods at all." --Rob Lightner
"If evolutionary biologist Massimo Pigliucci didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent him. His Tales of the Rational defines an intellectual space as far removed as hardcore religious fundamentalism from mainstream thinking--but it may be coming closer as scientists and skeptics launch more aggressive attacks on pseudoscience and fuzzy thinking. Pigliucci, a rising star on the evolution-creationism debate circuit, pulls out all the stops in his work, not content merely to defend science against its detractors, but eagerly undermining belief in religion and the existence of any gods at all." --Rob Lightner
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
About the author
Massimo Pigliucci
80 books1,228 followersMassimo Pigliucci is an author, blogger, podcaster, as well as the K.D. Irani Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York.
His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books) and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press).
His new book is How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic: The Power of Doubt in a Meaningful Life (Penguin).
His academic work is in evolutionary biology, philosophy of science, the nature of pseudoscience, and practical philosophy. His books include How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life (Basic Books) and Nonsense on Stilts: How to Tell Science from Bunk (University of Chicago Press).
His new book is How to Be a (Happy) Skeptic: The Power of Doubt in a Meaningful Life (Penguin).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 13, 2012
Tales of the Rational: Skeptical Essays About Nature and Science by Massimo Pigliucci
“Tales of the Rational" is a book composed of a broad range of interesting essays regarding science, pseudoscience, philosophy, skepticism and religion at an accessible level for the masses. With a Doctorate in Genetics from the University of Ferrara (Italy), a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee; Massimo Pigliucci has the perfect makeup to write well thought out and provocative essays. This stimulating 278-page book is composed of fourteen chapters and broken out by the following five parts: Part I-Philosophical tales, Part II-Tales of science and religion, Part III-Creation tales, Part IV-Tales of the personal, and Part V-Tales at the frontier of science.
Positives:
1. Well researched and accessible prose for the layperson.
2. Covers many fascinating topics with nature and science.
3. Dr. Pigliucci’s educational background gives him a great foundation to author such wonderful essays.
4. Starts off with his own journey to skepticism.
5. Defining philosophy and three interesting essays on philosophical issues. Touches on many topics including: rationalism, empiricism, skepticism, atheism, naturalism… Very helpful to us philosophically challenged.
6. The contrast between science and religion. “The two are at odds in terms of their intellectual underpinnings, with science based on evidence and critical thinking and religions established on faith and dogma”. Good stuff.
7. A sound debunking of Pascal’s wager.
8. In defense of science and a strong case against the “God”. A list of some scientific or logical reasons not to believe in an anthropomorphic God. Good insights.
9. The interest in religion. Why it matters and how it relates to the misunderstandings in the science and religion debate.
10. An interesting look at science education. The many faces of creationism. Scientific rationalism.
11. The always fascinating topic of evolution and those who attempt to debunk or reject it (Hoyle, Dembski, Gish).
12. My favorite essays in the book are without a doubt the two essays covering Dr. Pigliucci’s debates with Christian apologist William Lane Craig and creationist Duane Gish. He covers many of their main arguments and provides compelling arguments against them. He also discusses many of their debating tactics. Kudos!
13. Interesting essay on where do we come from. Does a good job of excluding gods and extraterrestrials with sound reasoning and proceeds to provide the current knowledge in biochemistry.
14. The fascinating story of modern search for extraterrestrial intelligence. An analysis of the Drake equation.
15. A comprehensive references section.
16. A great Kindle value!
Negatives:
1. The book is a little dated. Many areas of science has progressed a lot since the publication of this book and in fact have provided even more substantiation for many of the arguments presented by Dr. Pigliucci. As an example, neuroscience even in its infancy has provided a lot of insight of why humans have a tendency to believe in the supernatural and has even made progress in areas considered out of science's realm such as issues of morality. I've provided further suggested reading material.
2. The last essay of the book, "Chaos, fractals, complexity, and the limits of science" was the least accessible in the book. Though in general agreement with author I felt it was too obscure.
3. Tables and diagrams would have added value.
4. No notes to link from.
In summary, I was reluctant to pick up this book at first because I was concerned it would be dated (it was published in May of 2000) but when it became available at a special discount I decided to give it a try and must say that I was pleasantly surprised and is one of the best investments of my time and money. It may be a little dated in some areas but overall very good. Dr. Pigliucci covers many topics of interest and does so with lucidity and gusto. A lot of good insight here but I was most pleased about his essays regarding his debates with renown Christian apologist William Lane Craig and creationist Duane Gish. That alone is worth the price of the book. I highly recommend it!
Further suggestions: "Science and Nonbelief" by Taner Edis, "Science Under Siege" edited by Kendrick Frazier, "God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist" and "God and the Folly of Faith" by Victor J. Stenger, "The Believing Brain" by Michael Shermer, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality" by Patricia S. Churchland, "Society without God" by Phil Zuckerman, "God?: A Debate between a Christian and an Atheist" by William Lane Craig, "God's Problem" by Bart D. Ehrman, "Evolution vs. Creationism" by Eugenie C. Scott, "Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) by Matt Young "Sense and Goodness Without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism" and "Why I'm Not a Christian" by Richard Carrier.
“Tales of the Rational" is a book composed of a broad range of interesting essays regarding science, pseudoscience, philosophy, skepticism and religion at an accessible level for the masses. With a Doctorate in Genetics from the University of Ferrara (Italy), a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Connecticut, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tennessee; Massimo Pigliucci has the perfect makeup to write well thought out and provocative essays. This stimulating 278-page book is composed of fourteen chapters and broken out by the following five parts: Part I-Philosophical tales, Part II-Tales of science and religion, Part III-Creation tales, Part IV-Tales of the personal, and Part V-Tales at the frontier of science.
Positives:
1. Well researched and accessible prose for the layperson.
2. Covers many fascinating topics with nature and science.
3. Dr. Pigliucci’s educational background gives him a great foundation to author such wonderful essays.
4. Starts off with his own journey to skepticism.
5. Defining philosophy and three interesting essays on philosophical issues. Touches on many topics including: rationalism, empiricism, skepticism, atheism, naturalism… Very helpful to us philosophically challenged.
6. The contrast between science and religion. “The two are at odds in terms of their intellectual underpinnings, with science based on evidence and critical thinking and religions established on faith and dogma”. Good stuff.
7. A sound debunking of Pascal’s wager.
8. In defense of science and a strong case against the “God”. A list of some scientific or logical reasons not to believe in an anthropomorphic God. Good insights.
9. The interest in religion. Why it matters and how it relates to the misunderstandings in the science and religion debate.
10. An interesting look at science education. The many faces of creationism. Scientific rationalism.
11. The always fascinating topic of evolution and those who attempt to debunk or reject it (Hoyle, Dembski, Gish).
12. My favorite essays in the book are without a doubt the two essays covering Dr. Pigliucci’s debates with Christian apologist William Lane Craig and creationist Duane Gish. He covers many of their main arguments and provides compelling arguments against them. He also discusses many of their debating tactics. Kudos!
13. Interesting essay on where do we come from. Does a good job of excluding gods and extraterrestrials with sound reasoning and proceeds to provide the current knowledge in biochemistry.
14. The fascinating story of modern search for extraterrestrial intelligence. An analysis of the Drake equation.
15. A comprehensive references section.
16. A great Kindle value!
Negatives:
1. The book is a little dated. Many areas of science has progressed a lot since the publication of this book and in fact have provided even more substantiation for many of the arguments presented by Dr. Pigliucci. As an example, neuroscience even in its infancy has provided a lot of insight of why humans have a tendency to believe in the supernatural and has even made progress in areas considered out of science's realm such as issues of morality. I've provided further suggested reading material.
2. The last essay of the book, "Chaos, fractals, complexity, and the limits of science" was the least accessible in the book. Though in general agreement with author I felt it was too obscure.
3. Tables and diagrams would have added value.
4. No notes to link from.
In summary, I was reluctant to pick up this book at first because I was concerned it would be dated (it was published in May of 2000) but when it became available at a special discount I decided to give it a try and must say that I was pleasantly surprised and is one of the best investments of my time and money. It may be a little dated in some areas but overall very good. Dr. Pigliucci covers many topics of interest and does so with lucidity and gusto. A lot of good insight here but I was most pleased about his essays regarding his debates with renown Christian apologist William Lane Craig and creationist Duane Gish. That alone is worth the price of the book. I highly recommend it!
Further suggestions: "Science and Nonbelief" by Taner Edis, "Science Under Siege" edited by Kendrick Frazier, "God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist" and "God and the Folly of Faith" by Victor J. Stenger, "The Believing Brain" by Michael Shermer, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us about Morality" by Patricia S. Churchland, "Society without God" by Phil Zuckerman, "God?: A Debate between a Christian and an Atheist" by William Lane Craig, "God's Problem" by Bart D. Ehrman, "Evolution vs. Creationism" by Eugenie C. Scott, "Why Evolution Works (and Creationism Fails) by Matt Young "Sense and Goodness Without God: A Defense of Metaphysical Naturalism" and "Why I'm Not a Christian" by Richard Carrier.
January 9, 2026
This was an interesting book about skepticism and it's role in critical thought. A lot of the chapters dealt with religion and with religious thinkers (in particular, christian apologists with whom the author has debated. The two best parts--the two that I enjoyed the most--were Chapter 1: Rationalism, skepticism, and other "isms": How do we know what's out there, and where "there" actually is?; and the Finale: Goethe's "active doubt" and the meaning of skepticism. Both of these parts were about how skepticism relates to both rationalism and empiricism, and how all three are necessary for the best thinking about what is real and what is true. The rest of the book was just ok. After reading three of his books, Massimo Pigliucci has become one of my favorite authors--I am now reading his latest book, How to Be a Stoic: Using Ancient Philosophy to Live a Modern Life.
January 25, 2013
An excellent read. Needs a good proofread but otherwise Pigluicci writes with clarity, balance and reasonableness. Covering philosophy, science, religion and more, the author offers fresh insights with wit and substance. I lost a bit in the first part of the chapter on chaos where he explains the basic ideas, but apart from that his discussions have all the hallmarks of good thinking and communication. A must read!
April 18, 2014
A very good collection of papers previously written where he critiques various ways of knowing always ending up on the side of the rational way of inquiry.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews