Science and Sensibility: The Elegant Logic of the Universe [Hardcover]

Keith J. Laidler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 30, 2004

This book is designed to provide a thorough grounding in science literacy for the general lay reader. Acclaimed science writer and chemistry professor Keith J Laidler reviews the major contributions of the different branches of science - including biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and geology - and shows how they all lead to a unified conception of our place in the universe. He further asserts that by lifting the great veil of mystery through science, we can more fully appreciate the beauty of the universe. Although much still remains to be discovered, Laidler stresses that evidence from every field of science supports a consensus view, an elegantly logical and self-consistent picture of the formation and development of the universe and of life within it. This elegantly written and lucid explanation of science in contemporary life will not only spark an interest into the wonders of many fascinating scientific disciplines but will stimulate readers to think more critically and scientifically.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...very satisfying and imformative." -- Bookviews.com, December 2004

From the Inside Flap

The vast information explosion that science has produced continues to barrage us daily with both the trivial and the profound. How should we cope with this massive influx of new ideas about science and related areas? Though the public seems eager if not infatuated with acquiring more and more information, few understand how to make use of or how to integrate it to create a coherent worldview. Paradoxically, as the amount of information increases, knowledge-the result of our brains selecting and processing information to form an intelligible view of the world-has declined.

SCIENCE AND SENSIBILITY is exquisitely designed to provide a thorough grounding in the methods of science, stressing the importance of arriving at rational conclusions by carefully considering and evaluating the evidence available. Acclaimed science writer and chemistry professor Keith J. Laidler begins by reviewing the major contributions of the different branches of science-including biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and geology-and showing how, together, the research conducted in these areas leads to a unified conception of our place in the universe. He asserts that by dispelling the air of mystery that pervades the public's perception of science, we can more fully appreciate the beauty of the universe. Although much still remains to be discovered. Laidler stresses that evidence from every scientific field supports an elegantly logical and internally consistent picture of the formation and development of the universe and of life within it.

Dr. Laidler also explores the relationship between science and culture. Focusing on such topics as the nature-nurture debate, the importance of chance in everyday events, and the relationship between religion and science, he demonstrates how many of the important lessons learned from a study of science apply to many issues and situations faced by society. He points out that the scientific method of reaching the truth is used by judges in courts of law and by scholars in a wide variety of academic fields in the humanities and elsewhere, as well as by scientists. By learning to weigh relevant evidence in an unbiased fashion, we can objectively judge the enormous glut of information that surrounds us, integrate the useful portions into a scientific understanding, and still retain our sense of wonder.

This elegantly written and lucid explanation of science, both historically and in contemporary life, will not only spark interest in the wonders of many fascinating scientific disciplines but will stimulate readers to think more critically.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 233 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (July 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591021383
• ISBN-13: 978-1591021384
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,272,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rational Science vs Religious True Believers, September 11, 2004

By 

Theodore R. Spickler (Beaver Falls, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Science and Sensibility: The Elegant Logic of the Universe (Hardcover)

Although expressing a respect for spirituality, the author is using his explanations of the main discoveries of science as a springboard to contrast the value of an empirical, rational mode of knowing things in opposition to reliance on true belief. Sagan has warned that we do not live in a scientific age as evidenced by so many persons expressing belief in supernatural beings or unsubstantiated claims. This book continues in that vein with some clear thinking about the differences between ways of knowing. There is not much here to attract fundamentalist believers in "the word of God" or other such authoritarian sources. Laidler has no time for careless thinking and offers example after example of the value and need for an empirical approach to knowledge generation. The opinions of postmodern deconstructionists are severely dismissed as are also the irrationalities offered in the world of politics. His comparison between adversarial vs judicial knowledge seeking is particularly apt and especially interesting as he lumps the scientific in with the judicial.

There are more complete discussions about science for the non-scientist than within this slender volume but the focus on how we know things is of special value. He is probably lecturing to the choir and those who need to read the book are not likely to stay with it!