Reforming Science: Beyond Belief - Softcover

Ridley, Brian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845401948 ISBN 13: 9781845401948

Publisher: Imprint Academic, 2010

Synopsis

In the 17th century Sir Francis Bacon advocated the patient study of Nature for the benefit of mankind. Most of science today, in its study of medicine, genetics, electronics etc., continues that pragmatic Baconian tradition without fuss. Over the years, however, as its investigation of Nature probed ever deeper into regions far removed from common experience, science has increasingly exhibited traits more usually associated with fundamentalist religion that with dispassionate study. Articulate voices from biology preach the belief in 18th century materialism in the study of evolution; those from physics promulgate a kind of mathematical theology in its study of elementary particles and cosmology; both inveigh against heresy. But science should be beyond that sort of belief. It should not see its undoubted success in manipulating matter as justifying any sort of religious status, as offering a spiritual foundation alternative to religion. As a scientist himself, Brian Ridley is appalled by such theological trends, hence this book. It is an attempt to address these concerns, to reform science, to place science in its broad historical and philosophical context where dogmatic belief has no place, to remind science itself that it has limitations.

About this title

About the Authors

Physics, U. of Essex

Brian Ridley is Emeritus Professor of Physics in the University of Essex and a Fellow of the Royal Society. His general writings include Time, Space and Things (CUP), The Physical Environment (Wiley), and On Science (Routledge).

Edition details

• Publisher: Imprint Academic
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1845401948
• ISBN 13: 9781845401948
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198