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Fads, Fakes, and Frauds: Exploding Myths in Culture, Science and Psychology
This book is a collection of skeptical social essays in which the author reveals that much of our popular beliefs, psychology and science are defective, because, although we live in the 21st century, our approach to them is deeply rooted in our culture, and biased by history and evolution. These essays help the reader take a step sideways, think independently, and not fall victim to fads, fakes, and frauds.
Anyone who values a deeper understanding of contemporary social reality and the changes taking place in it should read this book--from students to scientists and intellectuals.
Through these essays we learn to look under the veneer of reality, behind the altars of science, under the scenery of pop-psychology and behind the facade of therapeutic culture. Thanks to essays on suicide, euthanasia and more, we also come close to the edge of life and death.
Contrary to many meticulous social critical analyzes, in sharing his thoughts the author takes us on a picturesque journey through bounty hunters, ludicrous machines, compulsive hoarding, Charlie Chaplin, and much more.
WORDS OF PRAISE
Tomasz Witkowski’s book is an intense blast aimed at the comfortable notion that culture is about building a shared, truthful vision of the world. It does a great service to those of us who still cling to the hope that truth will win eventually and aspire to move things in that direction.
Prof. Roy Baumeister, Florida State University, author of The Self Why and How We Become Who We Are
Tomasz Witkowski is a chronicler of the good and bad in psychology. His previous book Shaping Psychology, emphasized the good. Fads, Fakes and Frauds turns to the dark side, discussing how dogma shaped by past or present authorities is accepted unquestioned by the field, as well as difficulties with replication, and other important issues that psychology is struggling with. The short, beautifully written essays are filled with contemporary examples and contextualized by relevant historical facts. Fads, Fakes and Frauds provides an important perspective on the field, and should especially help young psychologists, still untainted by tradition, find their way.
Prof. Joseph LeDoux, New York University, author of The Deep History of The Four-Billion-Year Story of How We Got Conscious Brains
In this provocative book, Tomasz Witkowski illuminates the struggle between science and pseudoscience, particularly in the search for meaning and well-being. Witkowski leans into challenging topics like victimhood, suicide, and false accusations with literary force and a clear desire to pursue the evidence wherever it leads. His critical eye even confronts science as an institution, the ostensible counterweight to pseudoscience, as vulnerable to similar biases. Finding the truth, it seems, is not a matter of deciding which sources to trust, but of embracing a process of skepticism and evidence-seeking that is always willing to revise understanding, even of our most treasured beliefs.
Prof. Brian A. Nosek, University of Virginia, co-founder and director of the Center for Open Science
You might not agree with every example provided by the innovative psychologist, Tomasz Witkowski, about how falsehoods have invaded our collective consciousness. But you will find his writing lively and provocative. Our widespread tendency to embrace fads, fakes, and frauds, can be damaging to large segments of our society - both those who are directly affected, and their heartbroken loved ones. Hopefully his pleas for more critical thinking will be heeded.
Prof. Elizabeth F.
Anyone who values a deeper understanding of contemporary social reality and the changes taking place in it should read this book--from students to scientists and intellectuals.
Through these essays we learn to look under the veneer of reality, behind the altars of science, under the scenery of pop-psychology and behind the facade of therapeutic culture. Thanks to essays on suicide, euthanasia and more, we also come close to the edge of life and death.
Contrary to many meticulous social critical analyzes, in sharing his thoughts the author takes us on a picturesque journey through bounty hunters, ludicrous machines, compulsive hoarding, Charlie Chaplin, and much more.
WORDS OF PRAISE
Tomasz Witkowski’s book is an intense blast aimed at the comfortable notion that culture is about building a shared, truthful vision of the world. It does a great service to those of us who still cling to the hope that truth will win eventually and aspire to move things in that direction.
Prof. Roy Baumeister, Florida State University, author of The Self Why and How We Become Who We Are
Tomasz Witkowski is a chronicler of the good and bad in psychology. His previous book Shaping Psychology, emphasized the good. Fads, Fakes and Frauds turns to the dark side, discussing how dogma shaped by past or present authorities is accepted unquestioned by the field, as well as difficulties with replication, and other important issues that psychology is struggling with. The short, beautifully written essays are filled with contemporary examples and contextualized by relevant historical facts. Fads, Fakes and Frauds provides an important perspective on the field, and should especially help young psychologists, still untainted by tradition, find their way.
Prof. Joseph LeDoux, New York University, author of The Deep History of The Four-Billion-Year Story of How We Got Conscious Brains
In this provocative book, Tomasz Witkowski illuminates the struggle between science and pseudoscience, particularly in the search for meaning and well-being. Witkowski leans into challenging topics like victimhood, suicide, and false accusations with literary force and a clear desire to pursue the evidence wherever it leads. His critical eye even confronts science as an institution, the ostensible counterweight to pseudoscience, as vulnerable to similar biases. Finding the truth, it seems, is not a matter of deciding which sources to trust, but of embracing a process of skepticism and evidence-seeking that is always willing to revise understanding, even of our most treasured beliefs.
Prof. Brian A. Nosek, University of Virginia, co-founder and director of the Center for Open Science
You might not agree with every example provided by the innovative psychologist, Tomasz Witkowski, about how falsehoods have invaded our collective consciousness. But you will find his writing lively and provocative. Our widespread tendency to embrace fads, fakes, and frauds, can be damaging to large segments of our society - both those who are directly affected, and their heartbroken loved ones. Hopefully his pleas for more critical thinking will be heeded.
Prof. Elizabeth F.
- GenresNonfiction
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2022
5 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Tomasz Witkowski
25 books56 followersDr Tomasz Witkowski is a psychologist and science writer. He is the founder of the Polish Skeptics Club and specializes in debunking pseudoscience, particularly in the field of psychology, psychotherapy, and diagnosis. He is the author of numerous books dozens of scientific papers and over 100 popular articles (some of them are published in Skeptical Inquirer). As an expert in science-pseudoscience issues, he is frequently called by the media to comment on frauds and abuses witnessed in psychology, psychotherapy and other areas of scientific activity. In 2010 awarded as a Rationalist of the Year in Poland.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 20, 2022
It is Dr. Tomasz Witkowski's “Fads, Fakes, and Frauds. Exploding Myths in Culture, Science and Psychology ”. Why do I call it "therapeutic"? For two reasons. Let me start by saying that it has restored my faith that after a hard COVID-19 one and a half years ago and problems with concentration, I will be able to focus my attention and enjoy reading (I read Witkowski's previous books in one or two days). And the book "Fads, Fakes, and Frauds" is captivating, well-written, and deals with topics - about which in a moment - that will not leave the reader indifferent. This is the first book I have read since my illness - cover to cover and with great interest.
I called the book "therapeutic" for me, mainly because it was sobering and cleansing for me. I realized how many statements I put on faith, how I thoughtlessly form my beliefs and gulped down the ready-made food offered to me by contemporary culture, and how naively trusting I am in what authorities say. Reading "Fads, Fakes, and Frauds" brought me some discoveries. I will only name four. First of all: understanding how fashionable the slogan "Everyone is different!", Apart from its importance for promoting tolerance, contributes nothing to scientific research and understanding of human functioning. Second: recognizing how, in modern culture, claiming to be a victim leads to the expectation of special treatment, and how a therapeutic culture produces victims. Third, the recognition of the decisive influence of cultural entanglement in traditional beliefs is blocking the scientific consideration of empowering people to choose a dignified death in situations of terminal illness and/or threat of chronic suffering. And fourth: discovering how valuable is "addition by subtraction", that is, cleaning science from what is inappropriate, out of date, and compromised. And there are more reasons for reflection in the book. Each essay is such a reason.
What do I like in Witkowski's book? The way he writes. I read his essays like detective stories: I recognize the (scientific!) evidence that takes the blindfold off my eyes and I can see the facts. I greatly appreciate the fact that he always annotates his texts with references to scientific literature and research results. But Witkowski's book is something more: its reading awakens critical thinking and reflection. That is why reading is not only passionate but also useful. I highly recommend it!
I called the book "therapeutic" for me, mainly because it was sobering and cleansing for me. I realized how many statements I put on faith, how I thoughtlessly form my beliefs and gulped down the ready-made food offered to me by contemporary culture, and how naively trusting I am in what authorities say. Reading "Fads, Fakes, and Frauds" brought me some discoveries. I will only name four. First of all: understanding how fashionable the slogan "Everyone is different!", Apart from its importance for promoting tolerance, contributes nothing to scientific research and understanding of human functioning. Second: recognizing how, in modern culture, claiming to be a victim leads to the expectation of special treatment, and how a therapeutic culture produces victims. Third, the recognition of the decisive influence of cultural entanglement in traditional beliefs is blocking the scientific consideration of empowering people to choose a dignified death in situations of terminal illness and/or threat of chronic suffering. And fourth: discovering how valuable is "addition by subtraction", that is, cleaning science from what is inappropriate, out of date, and compromised. And there are more reasons for reflection in the book. Each essay is such a reason.
What do I like in Witkowski's book? The way he writes. I read his essays like detective stories: I recognize the (scientific!) evidence that takes the blindfold off my eyes and I can see the facts. I greatly appreciate the fact that he always annotates his texts with references to scientific literature and research results. But Witkowski's book is something more: its reading awakens critical thinking and reflection. That is why reading is not only passionate but also useful. I highly recommend it!
March 19, 2023
Interesting ideas; needs editing and fact-checking
Recommend this book for critical thinkers and skeptics. Interesting heterodox thinking and citations. However, could use editing: many misspelled names and ungrammatical sentences. So make sure to fact check and take the ideas with a grain of salt
Recommend this book for critical thinkers and skeptics. Interesting heterodox thinking and citations. However, could use editing: many misspelled names and ungrammatical sentences. So make sure to fact check and take the ideas with a grain of salt
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews