The Hundredth Monkey and Other Paradigms of the Paranormal: A Skeptical Inquirer Collection [Paperback]

Kendrick Frazier (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1991

"The Hundredth Monkey" takes its title from philosopher Ron Amundson's expose of the "Hundredth Monkey Phenomenon", a claim about collective consciousness. Forty-three essays by thirty-nine authors, including Isaac Asmov, Martin Gardner, Carl Sagan, Ray Hyman, Paul Kurtz, and James Randi, examine aspects of paranormal and fringe-science beliefs from an authoritative, scientific point of view.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The 44 essays in this collection originally appeared in the Skeptical Inquirer , published by the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP). Among the contributors are Carl Sagan, Isaac Asimov, Paul Kurtz, Martin Gardner, and Philip J. Klass. Their main purpose is not to debunk paranormal claims per se , but to examine them using a healthy dose of skepticism. However, even inveterate humanist Kurtz warns against skepticism becoming a new orthodoxy and exhorts diehard skeptics to give unorthodox claims a fair hearing. Sagan echoes Kurtz's view, calling for an "exquisite balance" between open-mindedness and skepticism. The book is divided into ten sections covering such topics as alien abduction and hypnosis, past life and hypnotic regression, miracles, firewalking, spontaneous human combustion, graphology, chiropractic, astrology, cold fusion, and crashed saucer claims. Essays on the human need to believe, ways to encourage critical thinking, and how to evaluate anomalous experiences are especially helpful in arguing the case for a skeptical approach to life. This challenging yet accessible compilation of readings on critical thinking offers a much-needed balance to books on "fringe" beliefs of all types. Highly recommended for most libraries, high school level on up.
- Gary D. Barber, SUNY at Fredonia Lib.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 414 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (June 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879756551
• ISBN-13: 978-0879756550
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great skeptical scientific and fair viewpoints of paranormal, December 7, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hundredth Monkey and Other Paradigms of the Paranormal: A Skeptical Inquirer Collection (Paperback)

The hundredth monkey is a collection of essays taken primarily from the Skeptical Observer magazine and directly takes on the issues of ESP (PSI), astrology, UFOs and other items associated with the paranormal. Very well written -- I especially liked the investigations into ESP and astrology. Perfect starter book for anyone trying to understand the arguments against the paranormal

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and well-written., January 3, 2006

By 

Annastasia Webster (Kentucky, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Hundredth Monkey and Other Paradigms of the Paranormal: A Skeptical Inquirer Collection (Paperback)

Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, this book is a great find for anyone interested in a study of the paranormal and occult. The book written by skeptics, but I got the impression throughout the book that many of the authors would actually love to be proven wrong! The articles in the book give the reader tools to analyze in a scientific, logical and rational way any paranormal claim. Each article is well-written and thought-provoking.

My personal opinion is that it is possible for things to exist outside of the ability of science to explain or categorize. If you agree, you will probably find that you often disagree with articles in this book. But disagree or not, it is intelligent and though-provoking and a must-read for anyone who is seriously interested in the study of the paranormal and occult.

This book will definitely make you think, and that's ALWAYS a good thing. I recommend reading the book with a friend or partner so you will have someone with whom you may discuss the ideas presented.

17 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect guide to skepticism!, June 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Hundredth Monkey and Other Paradigms of the Paranormal: A Skeptical Inquirer Collection (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for those of you who aren't fooled by wild paranormal schemes. Great authors, great essays. I especially like the part about fire-walking, channeling, and critical thinking.