The March of Unreason: Science, Democracy, and the New Fundamentalism [Paperback]

Dick Taverne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 2007

In The March of Unreason, Dick Taverne expresses his concern that irrationality is on the rise in Western society, and argues that public opinion is increasingly dominated by unreflecting prejudice and an unwillingness to engage with factual evidence. Discussing topics such as genetically modified crops and foods, organic farming, the MMR vaccine, environmentalism, the precautionary principle, and the new anti-capitalist and anti-globalization movements, he argues that the rejection of the evidence-based approach nurtures a culture of suspicion, distrust, and cynicism, and leads to dogmatic assertion and intolerance. Science, with all the benefits it brings, is an essential part of a civilized and democratic society: it offers the most hopeful future for humankind.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There is much to agree with and even to admire in Taverne's wide-ranging and trenchant observations."--Nature

"... offers a spirited defense of science and its evidence-based approach to public policy..."--The Washington Times

About the Author

Dick Taverne was the Labour MP for Lincoln from 1962 to 1972, when he resigned to fight the famous Lincoln by-election as an independent social democrat in 1973, and won. In 1974 he wrote The Future of the Left, Lincoln and After (Jonathan Cape), which predicted the split in the Labour party that happened seven years later. He is now a Liberal-Democrat peer. Becoming gradually more and more concerned about the increasing mood of hostility and suspicion towards science, in 2002 he founded the association 'Sense About Science' to promote an evidence-based approach to scientific issues.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (January 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0199205620
• ISBN-13: 978-0199205622
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,787,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful reading on an important topic, June 6, 2005

By 

Joseph L. Bast (Illinois, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The March of Unreason: Science, Democracy, and the New Fundamentalism (Hardcover)

This is a marvelous book that traces the role of reason and science in the creation of free and democratic societies, and then warns that radical environmentalism (what he calls "eco-fundamentalism"), by standing in opposition to reason and science, poses a grave threat to our freedoms. The author covers a wide range of topics but is especially good on biotechnology (genetically modified crops), where he carefully presents the cases for and against this new application of science ... and concludes that the former is much the stronger. The book is a delight to read, with the author sparing us the sometimes tedious analyzing and arguing that other books devoted to debunking environmentalism fall victim to. I highly recommend it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read this book with an open mind, August 10, 2009

By 

G. Perera "Internet coach" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The March of Unreason: Science, Democracy, and the New Fundamentalism (Paperback)

Here is a well-researched and well-presented book defending science and rational thinking from the recent trend of society to lose its trust in science and embrace irrational, fear-based, feelings-based ideas.

Taverne takes aim at eco-fundamentalism, anti-globalisation organisations, environmentalist lobby groups, alternative medicine and other pseudo-scientific approaches. But he doesn't just do this in an ideological way; he presents studies, research and verifiable data to support his point.

Ironically, his opponents often don't. He presents the case that some of these approaches aren't based on scientific principles. For instance, he quotes Lord Melchett, the Director of Greenpeace, admitting that he would be permanently opposed to genetically modified crops, regardless of the scientific facts!

If you're already ideologically closed to Taverne's arguments, it's unlikely you will change your view by reading this book. However, if you read it with even a slightly open mind that encourages you to do your own investigation into the facts behind the claims, it will have served its purpose.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The March of Unreason, April 25, 2008

By 

Desmond A. Orourke - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The March of Unreason: Science, Democracy, and the New Fundamentalism (Paperback)

This book should be required reading for all politicians, bureaucrats, retailers, the mass media and others in leadership positions who fail to call for scientific support for their policies.