The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark in Atheists and Skeptics

Jan 14, 2008 Krishan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-math-and-philosophy

Magnificent. Carl Sagan takes us on a mind-expanding tour of the landscape of scientific knowledge and the oceans of human ignorance. This deeply skeptical look at our ideas is more than expose of superstition, but an exercise in constructive criticism.
Sagan shows us that science and reason are our greatest tools for understanding and moral judgment.

An excellent companion to the recent 'new atheism' books by Harris, Hitchens, Dawkins, Dennet etc... ...more

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Mar 04, 2008 Mark Gowan rated it really liked it

Sagan's book is a predecessor to Sam Harris' "The End of Faith". However, I feel that Sagan is a much more literary writer. This book is a nice-drive-down-a-country-road read while Harris' book is more of a get-on-down-the-road read. I really enjoyed this book because it was so comfortable.
Many of the points and arguments in this book are not new, in fact few of them are, but Sagan's style and interesting approach (the world is demon-haunted?!)to the points refresh them and asks the reader to re ...more

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Feb 01, 2008 Leonardo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science

My review, in Portuguese, on the link below:

http://leonardofernandes.blogspot.com... ...more

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Dec 11, 2007 Robu-sensei rated it really liked it

Shelves: general-nonfiction, skepticism, 2008

Dr. Sagan joins here an eloquent and carefully constructed plea for embracing reason as the bedrock principle in modern society, with an ominous warning about the consequences of abandoning reason and skepticism for superstition and pseudoscience. Central to the book, both thematically and positionally, is Dr. Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit, a compendium of "tools for critical thinking"—an invaluable resource in itself.

While making his case for skepticism, Dr. Sagan maintains respect for religiou Dr. Sagan joins here an eloquent and carefully constructed plea for embracing reason as the bedrock principle in modern society, with an ominous warning about the consequences of abandoning reason and skepticism for superstition and pseudoscience. Central to the book, both thematically and positionally, is Dr. Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit, a compendium of "tools for critical thinking"—an invaluable resource in itself.

While making his case for skepticism, Dr. Sagan maintains respect for religious viewpoints, insofar as they address higher truths and do not attempt to supplant science with mythology. He is careful, moreover, not to dismiss strange beliefs, such as UFO abduction and Satanic cults, as mere lunacy, but rather takes the time to explain how otherwise sane and rational persons can convince themselves—or be convinced by others—of such bizarre, fanciful ideas. (In fact, it sometimes seems that Dr. Sagan treats pseudoscientific nonsense with too much respect, although he can't stop his tongue from wandering cheekward on occasion.) On the other side of the coin, he sagely warns us that science isn't infallible, either.

Whereas you may find reading The Demon-haunted World makes you rather pessimistic about the fate of American society, particularly in light of the past seven years, Dr. Sagan also offers a ray of hope: "Education on the value of free speech and the other freedoms reserved by the Bill of Rights, about what happens when you don't have them, and about how to exercise and protect them, should be an essential prerequisite for bing an American citizen—or indeed a citizen of any nation, the more so to the degree that such rights remain unprotected. If we can't think for ouselves, if we're unwilling to question authority, then we're just putty in the hands of those in power. But if the citizens are educated and form their own opinions, then those in power work for us. In every country, we should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit."

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Jan 16, 2009 Charles rated it really liked it

I can see why this book is so highly regarded as a primer for skepticism. It covers the application of critical thinking on a wide range of topics. This book is Copyright 1996, and while some of it seems a little bit dated more than that, it is a little depressing. Some of the things Sagan tries to bring to peoples attention in this book have yet to improve in the last 12 years. Things like science funding, education and public awareness.
As we emerge from the Bush years, Sagan even seems a bit p ...more

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