A Physicist's Guide to Skepticism: Applying Laws of Physics to Faster-Than-Light Travel, Psychic Phenomena, Telepathy, Time Travel, UFOs, and Other Pseudoscientific Claims [Hardcover]

Milton A. Rothman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1988 | ISBN-10: 0879754400 | ISBN-13: 978-0879754402

The laws of physics provide clear-cut principles defining what is possible - and not possible - in the physical world. This book examines and critiques many widely held pseudoscientific beliefs in light of these laws. Rather than treating supernatural claims on a case-by-case basis, Milton Rothman uses the general principles supplied by physics to show why they are, in fact, impossible. Rothman divides the laws of physics into two classes: laws of permission and laws of denial. Laws of permission, such as Newton's laws of motion, generally do not allow precise predictions except in the simplest cases. Laws of denial, such as conservation of energy, permit very accurate conclusions about what cannot possibly occur. He uses these concepts to examine and critique the possible existence of various paranormal phenomena, such as UFOs, telepathy, perpetual motion machines, poltergeists, etc. He also discusses a number of concepts traditional to science fiction: anti-gravity, faster-than-light travel, time travel, etc., which are shown to be impossible when subject to rigorous examination. Written in a technically accurate yet entertaining style, this book will appeal to the non-specialist yet still present concepts of interest to both professional scientists and philosophers of science.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Physicist Rothman clearly and concisely presents the atomic model of nature wherein the workings of our universe are described by interactions between subatomic particles. The first five chapters set forth how these interactions and physical laws manifest themselves. These chapters lay the groundwork enabling readers to acquire the "pragmatic skepticism" necessary to respond to phenomena that seemingly contradict laws of nature. Rothman then handles questions dealing with ESP, perpetual motion, telekinesis, and creationism logically and nondefensively, using verifiable physical laws. Pertinent bibliographies accompany each chapter. Highly recommended for informed nonspecialists. Erna Chamberlain, SUNY at Binghamton Lib.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 247 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (April 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879754400
• ISBN-13: 978-0879754402
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well Done...Could Be More Lively Though, July 4, 2004

By 

Pootie T - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Physicist's Guide to Skepticism: Applying Laws of Physics to Faster-Than-Light Travel, Psychic Phenomena, Telepathy, Time Travel, UFOs, and Other Pseudoscientific Claims (Hardcover)

The other reviewer seems to be implying that Professor Rothmen is some kind of skeptic ideologue. This would be a legitimate criticism...IF Milton simply dismissed fringe "science" using vague, dogmatic generalizations. As a trained physicist, Mr. Rothmen knows better.

That's why he debunks various forms of pseudoscience--spontaneous combustion, telepathy, etc.--using simple, well-established scientific laws. At times, he even does so with a bit of dry humor ("This also applies to the inhabitants of other planets.").

I definitely recommend this book to laypersons. Not only will it puncture some of your flawed beliefs; it will actually grant you a better understanding of the universe as we know it.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what you might expect, November 15, 2000

By 

Chris Maverick (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Physicist's Guide to Skepticism: Applying Laws of Physics to Faster-Than-Light Travel, Psychic Phenomena, Telepathy, Time Travel, UFOs, and Other Pseudoscientific Claims (Hardcover)

The title of this book says it all. As a primer of physics, it is fairly useful and very easy to understand. However it is written by a skeptic and it could have just as easily been titled "A Skeptics Guide to Physics..."

The attitude of the writer is apparent throughout the work and that forces the reader to take everything with a grain of salt. That said, the author is clearly very intelligent and very studied and his use of science to dispute the claims of science fiction makes for an interesting excercise for the reader.

Recommended to anyone who enjoys the rhetoric of a text as much as (or more than) the concepts behind it.