Point Books As Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked into an Intellectual Black Hole
| ISBN: | 1616144114 (ISBN13: 9781616144111) |
| Edition Language: | English |
Stephen Law
Paperback | Pages: 271 pages Rating: 3.79 | 519 Users | 54 Reviews
Description Toward Books Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked into an Intellectual Black Hole
This book identifies eight key mechanisms that can transform a set of ideas into a psychological flytrap. The author suggests that, like the black holes of outer space, from which nothing, not even light, can escape, our contemporary cultural landscape contains numerous intellectual black-holes—belief systems constructed in such a way that unwary passers-by can similarly find themselves drawn in. While such self-sealing bubbles of belief will most easily trap the gullible or poorly educated, even the most intelligent and educated of us are potentially vulnerable. Some of the world’s greatest thinkers have fallen in, never to escape.This witty, insightful critique will help immunize readers against the wiles of cultists, religious and political zealots, conspiracy theorists, promoters of flaky alternative medicines, and various other nutcases by clearly setting out the tricks of the trade by which such insidious belief systems are created and maintained.
Itemize Of Books Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked into an Intellectual Black Hole
| Title | : | Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked into an Intellectual Black Hole |
| Author | : | Stephen Law |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 271 pages |
| Published | : | April 26th 2011 by Prometheus Books (first published January 1st 2011) |
| Categories | : | Philosophy. Nonfiction. Science. Psychology. Skepticism. Religion. Atheism |
Rating Of Books Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked into an Intellectual Black Hole
Ratings: 3.79 From 519 Users | 54 ReviewsDiscuss Of Books Believing Bullshit: How Not to Get Sucked into an Intellectual Black Hole
books like this are really empowering . it helps inoculate you from the illusory "reasonableness" of the ideas of con men, liars and cultists, and shows you how they trick even smart mostly rational people into believing irrational things . a must read for those on the quest to find the truth of realityWe want to be rational, says Stephen Law. We also find ourselves drawn, for whatever reason, toward Intellectual Black Holes, such as believing in supernatural beings or medicines that arent scientifically proven to work. To deal with the cognitive dissonance of our self-understanding, we find strategies to help ourselves believe that we are not being nearly as irrational as reason might otherwise suggest. (p. 19) He outlines eight strategies. I am using one of these strategies, which I
An easy to follow explanation of various "intellectual black holes" and how to craft an argument against the psuedo-thinking that creates them in the first place.
This book is a lively excursion into the philosophical arguments people use for their beliefs. It reads like a primer for late-night dorm room bull sessions (hence the title?). You'd like it if you relish the thought of demolishing an opponent and getting the last word on him. I suppose it would be a good curative if you've been afflicted with "the wit of the staircase," as the French say -- wishing you'd known how to counter some glib confounder. If you think philosophy itself is more or less
This book is about 8 principle means by which we get misled in arguments that may feel 'right'. The book feels very much on target, but also feels like it could have been written in half the space.
Law's book isn't bullshit itself but it does smell a little. not because it's dishonest or trying to sell something cheap but because it's just a laundry list of logical fallacies that preaches to the skeptical choir. it's very title will put off those that might be the most "in need" of learning about these concepts and practices.Law attempts to speak to an audience unversed in philosophy or critical thinking methods, he just comes across as pedestrian, pedantic, and authoritarian in its
Thinking critically is an incredibly important skill, one that is completely glossed over in today's education system. When we are constantly inundated with advertisements and news stories that have an agenda, the ability to discern 'likely true' from 'likely false' is a valued one. In Believing Bullshit, Law talks about the different logical fallacies and psychological tactics that are applied by the media (and this is not a left/right thing...both sides of the ideological spectrum are guilty).
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