1. Superstition: Belief in the Age of Science

This is part 1 of a 7-part talk.

From uttering a prayer before boarding a plane, to exploring past lives through hypnosis, has superstition become pervasive in contemporary culture? Robert Park, the best-selling author of "Voodoo Science", argues that it has. In "Superstition," Park asks why people persist in superstitious convictions long after science has shown them to be ill-founded. He takes on supernatural beliefs from religion and the afterlife to New Age spiritualism and faith-based medical claims. He examines recent controversies and concludes that science is the only way we have of understanding the world.

Park sides with the forces of reason in a world of continuing and, he fears, increasing superstition. Chapter by chapter, he explains how people too easily mistake pseudoscience for science. He discusses parapsychology, homeopathy, and acupuncture; he questions the existence of souls, the foundations of intelligent design, and the power of prayer; he asks for evidence of reincarnation and astral projections; and he challenges the idea of heaven. Throughout, he demonstrates how people's blind faith, and their confidence in suspect phenomena and remedies, are manipulated for political ends. Park shows that science prevails when people stop fooling themselves.

Compelling and precise, "Superstition" takes no hostages in its quest to provoke. In shedding light on some very sensitive--and Park would say scientifically dubious--issues, the book is sure to spark discussion and controversy.

Robert L. Park is professor of physics at the University of Maryland. He is the author of "Voodoo Science: The Road from Foolishness to Fraud."

Views expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Capital Area Skeptics.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Science
• Skepticism
• Skeptic
• Bob Park

[mrjeffreymelchor]

we? totoo ba yan?

[Da0YiN]

@BlueSamris

because it is the only logical solution since just your own reception really is existing!!!

[BlueSamris]

@Da0YiN no, skepticism is basically just questioning and some people do question their existence. and i am god. how did you know?

[Da0YiN]

@BlueSamris

skepticism is a philosophical theory that only has the own existence as absolute constant!!! so either you are god or there is a god!!!

[BlueSamris]

@Da0YiN no... skepticism doesn't lead to god you could say logic and reason leads to god but since god isn't reasonable or logical and is usually believed by the gullible that doesn't lead to him either.

[Da0YiN]

skepticism has to lead to god one way or the other!!!

[Toadsanime]

@miscjohn Literally no idea what encited that comment.

[Toadsanime]

@iluj21 Oh, dear God, what?

[EricZombie]

@miscjohn

 Condescending remark. I wasn't referring to Robert Park. I was responding to @iluj21.

[miscjohn]

@EricZombie

Sophomoric remark. When you don't understand something, keep your mouth closed and just let people think you're stupid, rather than drawing attention to yourself and proving it. He may not be a great lecturer, but he has a good message to those who can comprehend it.