The Joy of Science
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- 2,99 €
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- 2,99 €
Publisher Description
Quantum physicist, New York Times bestselling author, and BBC host Jim Al-Khalili reveals how 8 lessons from the heart of science can help you get the most out of life
Today’s world is unpredictable and full of contradictions, and navigating its complexities while trying to make the best decisions is far from easy. The Joy of Science presents 8 short lessons on how to unlock the clarity, empowerment, and joy of thinking and living a little more scientifically.
In this brief guide to leading a more rational life, acclaimed physicist Jim Al-Khalili invites readers to engage with the world as scientists have been trained to do. The scientific method has served humankind well in its quest to see things as they really are, and underpinning the scientific method are core principles that can help us all navigate modern life more confidently. Discussing the nature of truth and uncertainty, the role of doubt, the pros and cons of simplification, the value of guarding against bias, the importance of evidence-based thinking, and more, Al-Khalili shows how the powerful ideas at the heart of the scientific method are deeply relevant to the complicated times we live in and the difficult choices we make.
Read this book and discover the joy of science. It will empower you to think more objectively, see through the fog of your own preexisting beliefs, and lead a more fulfilling life.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Quantum physicist Al-Khalili (The World According to Physics) delivers a concise primer on how to apply the philosophies behind the scientific method to one's life. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the misinformation that it brought to the surface, Al-Khalili aims to empower readers to use critical thinking to evaluate the news, as well as their own knowledge and beliefs. He succeeds easily, with each chapter dedicated to a lesson readers can apply to their lives. There's "don't value opinion over evidence," in which he distinguishes the scientific use of the word belief from the colloquial; "it's more complicated than that," which cautions readers against making a complex world into something simple; and "stand up for reality," which covers the idea of objective truth. Along the way, he touches on such topics as flat-Earth conspiracy theorists, climate change, and the notion of a "post-truth" world. Al-Khalili is upfront about his own liberal views, but his explanations and advice are guided by logic and stick to the science. Historical stories and personal anecdotes keep things moving, and the author does a stellar job of keeping things short, sweet, and to the point. Readers overwhelmed by information overload will find this a balm.
