How to Think About Weird Things: Critical Thinking for a New Age (Paperback)

by Theodore Schick (Author), Lewis Vaughn (Author)
Key Phrases: gremlin hypothesis, weird claims, availability error, New York, Prometheus Books, Ted Schultz (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Step-by-step procedures for evaluating the New Age claims that permeate our culture.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Mayfield Publishing Company; 2nd edition (October 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767400135
• ISBN-13: 978-0767400138
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #556,270 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book!, November 9, 2000

By	Talbot T. Canham (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an EXCELLENT book on critical thinking; I think that a critical thinking class (perhaps with this book or something like it as text) should be mandatory from grade-school on up.

I find it interesting that one reader chastised this book for its "pro-science" viewpoint, without ever bothering to explain WHY "pro-science" is BAD? I'm also curious as to whether that reader actually READ the book; if so he'd note that Schick and Vaughn are very careful to give balanced treatment to all paranormal claims. They make certain to point out, for instance, that "this doesn't mean ESP doesn't exist, of course..." merely that a particular claim doesn't validate our belief in it. Throughout the book, Schick and Vaughn are very gentle in their handling of paranormal claims. And yet the reviewer claims that Schick and Vaughn "don't take [them] seriously" or ridicule claims they don't like. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

In addition, the poster tried to draw a distinction between ontological and epistemic relativism, without noting that when considering a philosophy like realism (the view that there is a real, measurable, consensual reality -- a prerequisite for being a skeptic) the ontological relativism IS the epistemic relativism. Being IS the basis of our belief system -- if there's no "out there" out there, realism is a baseless philosophy. Schick and Vaughn do a VERY good job of dissecting and laying to rest the relativistic and solipsistic claims that are so popular today (IE, "there's no such thing as reality" or "whatever's true for you..."). And again, they are relatively gentle (for a less gentle treatment of the fad of social constructivism, see some of Sokal's books, for example).

All in all this is an EXCELLENT, clear, well-rounded, and balanced look at critical thinking in an age of bizarre claims.

55 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really fine introduction to critical thinking, September 11, 1999

By	AA - See all my reviews

I first read this at 18 and wrote the following review about this book I'm still rather fond of:

This is a fine piece of writing, and a very complete introduction to critical thinking -- a skill which is more desperately needed (yet also more desperately lacking) now than in any other time. I wish that every college-student, professor, and, in fact, all thinking individuals would read this book. Critical thinking is one of the most crucial skills for any thinking person, yet is most often ignored or left out of the educational system.

The ideas presented in this book are clear, concise, well thought-out, and well-researched. In addition, the writing style keeps the reader interested, with relevant quotes, articles, and true stories, to provide examples of the concepts covered in the book.

If you are a lover of wisdom, learning, and/or knowledge; are open to the idea of questioning, or are looking for a clear and logical foundation upon which to base your life's philosophy, this book is an excellent tool in your pursuits. Critical thinking is not a prepackaged belief system; it is a system for analyzing claims and making rational, reasonable, and logic decisions about your philosophy, your ethical code, and your belief-system. In that capacity, this book serves as a wonderful introduction and resource.

Do not miss reading this book!

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent primer to how scientists think, March 18, 2000

By A Customer

I first read the previous edition of this book when I was in high school. A friend of mine had gotten a job working for James "the Amazing" Randi, and somehow the professional complimentary copy got passed on from Randi to him to another friend to me. I read it over and over until it was practically falling apart, and I have recommended it to many people over the years, because it had such a major and positive influence on my own thinking.

I am currently about halfway done with my Ph.D. in chemistry. I credit this book for giving me an appreciation for the beauty of the scientific process, as well as helping to convince me that I wanted to be a part of it myself. It is true that the book necessarily simplifies the scientific process for the sake of not overburdening the reader with technical jargon and information overload. It should definitely be considered as an INTRODUCTION to critical thinking, as opposed to an all-inclusive and exhaustive text. However, I can't recommend this book highly enough to anyone who wants to understand the beauty and ideal of how science works at its glorious best.