The Science Delusion: Asking the Big Questions in a Culture of Easy Answers Audiobook

One of our most brilliant social critics-- author of the bestselling The Middle Mind-- presents a scathing critique of the " delusions" of science alongside a rousing defense of the tradition of Romanticism and the " big" questions. With the rise of religion critics such as Richard Dawkins, and of pseudo-science advocates such as Malcolm Gladwell and Jonah Lehrer, you' re likely to become a subject of ridicule if you wonder " Why is there something instead of nothing?" or " What is our purpose on earth?" Instead, at universities around the world, and in the general cultural milieu, we' re all being taught that science can resolve all questions without the help of philosophy, politics, or the humanities. In short, the rich philosophical debates of the 19th century have been nearly totally abandoned, argues critic Curtis White. An atheist himself, White nonetheless calls this new turn " scientism"-- and fears what it will do to our culture if allowed to flourish without challenge. In fact, in " scientism" White sees a new religion with many unexamined assumptions. In this brilliant multi-part critique, he aims at a TED talk by a distinguished neuroscientist in which we are told that human thought is merely the product of our " connectome," a map of neural connections in the brain that is yet to be fully understood. . . . He whips a widely respected physicist who argues that our new understanding of the origins of the universe obviates any philosophical inquiry . . . and ends with a learned defense of the tradition of Romanticism, which White believes our technology and science-obsessed world desperately needs to rediscover. It' s the only way, he argues, that we can see our world clearly. . . and change it.

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“Those who listen to White’s bookwill find themselves thinking about science in unexpected ways. The authormakes the case that science has succeeded in defining reality but has become asystem of dogma that is limiting a freer exploration of ideas. Jonathan Hogannarrates with a largely professorial tone that reflects White’s enthusiasm.Even if listeners haven’t considered the relationships between the free market,the Industrial Revolution, the humanities, and other topics, Hogan keeps thingsinteresting. As White quotes figures such as evolutionary biologist RichardDawkins and writer Christopher Hitchens, Hogan’s intonations reflect theloftiness of their comments. At times, the ideas are esoteric, but listenerswill find far-reaching new thoughts on a range of subjects.”

— AudioFile