First published 2002
Michael Shermer examines the murky territory where authentic scientific research meets questionable claims and outright fraud. He establishes science as our most reliable method for understanding reality, then tackles the challenge of distinguishing solid research from dubious borderland theories. Shermer dismantles grandiose "theories of everything" that attempt to explain all existence through single concepts. He contrasts Darwin's enduring scientific contributions with Freud's theories, which have largely lost credibility over time. The book exposes how even trained researchers can fall victim to deception, illustrated through the Piltdown hoax where fabricated fossil remains fooled the scientific community for decades. Shermer's investigation spans diverse topics including the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, alternative medicine practices like acupuncture, psychological phenomena such as hypnosis, and emerging biotechnology like human cloning. This work provides readers with analytical tools to navigate the constant stream of scientific claims that bombard modern life, helping separate legitimate discoveries from misleading speculation.
Genres: science, popular-science, non-fiction, skepticism, academic, history-of-science
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism
360 pages · Paperback · Oxford University Press