The Science Delusion
-
-
3.0 • 4 Ratings
-
-
- £9.99
Publisher Description
The scientific counter argument to Richard Dawkin's The God Delusion.
Freeing the Spirit of Enquiry.
The Science Delusion is the belief that science already understands the nature of reality. The fundamental questions are answered, leaving only the details to be filled in. In this book (published in the US as Science Set Free), Dr Rupert Sheldrake, one of the world's most innovative scientists, shows that science is being constricted by assumptions that have hardened into dogmas. The 'scientific worldview' has become a belief system. All reality is material or physical. The world is a machine, made up of dead matter. Nature is purposeless. Consciousness is nothing but the physical activity of the brain. Free will is an illusion. God exists only as an idea in human minds, imprisoned within our skulls.
Sheldrake examines these dogmas scientifically, and shows persuasively that science would be better off without them: freer, more interesting, and more fun.
In The God Delusion Richard Dawkins used science to bash God, but here Rupert Sheldrake shows that Dawkins' understanding of what science can do is old-fashioned and itself a delusion.
'Rupert Sheldrake does science, humanity and the world at large a considerable favour.'
The Independent
'Certainly we need to accept the limitations of much current dogma and keep our minds open as we reasonably can. Sheldrake may help us do so through this well-written, challenging and always interesting book.'
Financial Times
(P)2012 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Customer Reviews
A masterpiece of philosophy, science, humanity and spirituality.
'The Science Delusion' is an inspired work of great moment, written in hope, a lucid call to awaken people who have inherited and are influenced by the cultural thought-forms fashioned in recent centuries in northwestern Europe. Sheldrake carefully brings the reader to an awareness of how the world view and associated activities that have come to be called 'science' have become dissociated from the rest of human experience, activity, and nature, even as many fervently and loudly proclaim it as being of the greatest value. In so doing Sheldrake gives us another chance to reorient these activity to their original purpose: a spirit of enquiry in the service of wonder, relatedness, and wisdom.
With clarity and agility of thought, Sheldrake carefully accompanies the reader on a soulful narrative journey that encompasses a great deal of experience, painstaking research, logical reasoning, open questions, and alternative hypotheses for consideration.
Sheldrake writes artfully, passionately, with integrity, showing kindness, respect and sympathy for his fellows, and grace. It would be laudable if this work were to become required reading on all courses in the natural and social sciences, and in philosophical and spiritual studies. In fact, I think it no exaggeration to say that the issues highlighted and explored in this work are now relevant to all.
The book is read beautifully by the author. The reading is well paced and articulated, allowing the reader to follow.