Science and the Retreat from Reason [Paperback]

John Gillott (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0853459878 | ISBN-13: 978-0853459873 | Publication Date: January 1, 1997

This book looks for the roots of the public's waning faith in science. Providing a clear and accessible introduction to key areas of modern scientific thought, the authors challenge our new fear and loathing of science.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Modern scientific thought, as conveyed in quantum mechanics, chaos, and complexity theories, prescribes limits to what can be studied and understood. According to British scientists Gillott and Kumar, these antirationalist principles represent a dangerous negativism that belittles the entire scientific process. Society has abandoned the idea of "progress through science," causing financial support for basic research to dry up. In their analyses of the philosophical underpinning of these theories, the authors examine why the public's faith in science has declined in recent years and why they feel it must be restored. Though accessible and intended for a general readership, this book may not appeal to the casual reader on account of the authors' arcane arguments and use of primary texts from scientific philosophers. For larger public and academic libraries.?Gregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib., Coral Gables, FL
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

John Gillott has a degree in applied mathematics. He works at the Genetic Interest Group, London.

Manjit Kumar has a degree in physics and philosophy. He is deputy editor of the journal Paradigm, and a tutor at the City Literary Institute, London.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Monthly Review Press (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0853459878
• ISBN-13: 978-0853459873
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,454,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Filled with a lively bitterness, July 22, 2010

By 

J. L. Garrett (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Science and the Retreat from Reason (Paperback)

I found this book in the library a few weeks ago, and was intrigued by the title. It wasn't quite what I expected, but a good read nonetheless. The authors accuse three theories/methodologies used in contemporary science as being unreasonable or applied poorly. Quantum mechanics seems like an odd subject to attack, given its successes, but their critique of it rests mainly on the Copenhagen interpretation. For being argumentative in nature, Gillott and Kumar write a good overview of the many opposing views on the philosophical issues at stake.
Their critiques of chaos and complexity theories are interesting mainly for historical reasons. It seems that both theories are past the peak of their popularity.
The final sections of the book deals with the divorce of science and social progress. We've come a long way it seems.