Free to Decide: Building a Life in Science and Medicine - Softcover

Magner, James

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1963885155 ISBN 13: 9781963885156

Publisher: Russell Enterprises, Inc., 2025

Synopsis

A Full Life in Science and Medicine
A university professor aptly described Free to Decide: "In turn quirky, hilarious, and serious, Magner's entertaining and memorable anecdotes have done for training in biology and medicine what Richard Feynman did for physics in his best-selling book, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" Importantly, all reviewers found the text well-written and engaging,
Learn how a boy from small-town America is inspired by nature, finds ways to do well in college, takes baby-steps in scientific research, and navigates medical school and stressful training. He soon learns the pleasures and challenges of an academic career followed by two decades of designing international clinical trials in two pharmaceutical companies. Along the way he falls in love, and he and Glenda raise two daughters. Career and family issues are difficult at times, but humor abounds. No matter the roadblocks, Magner always finds a path forward.
The book is thoughtfully structured with technical scientific information (to satisfy rigorous readers) sequestered to appendices so that the main body of the book remains easy and fun to read. There are many tips for college and medical students / trainees. More advanced professionals will benefit from insights about making a career change; there is particularly valuable advice about how to move from academia into the pharmaceutical industry. This second edition has been re-edited, updated and expanded.
For variety, three short chess games are discussed, and a chapter on poker strategy can be enjoyed or skipped (Magner has significant poker tournament winnings).
Of the first edition, a key reviewer offered high praise:
"...Brimming with charming anecdotes... Magner lived a very full life with no shortage of either triumph or tragedy, and the wisdom that resulted is a pleasure to read."
- Kirkus Reviews

About this title

About the Author

James Magner, M.D. is a clinician-scientist with a special interest in endocrinology and thyroid disease including thyroid cancer. He did basic science work on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), had a long academic career, and then a career in the pharmaceutical industry. He is married and lives in Woodbridge, CT.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chapter 14
Religion: Free Will, God and the Meaning of Life

Although professional scientists generally avoid writing anything about religion or God, I think I should. Writing about this topic has many traps, of course, and can cause many misunderstandings. But most people feel a strong urge to better understand their place in the world. They wonder about how the universe came to be and whether there is really any ultimate purpose. The universe is very complicated and actually is a very strange place. I write this chapter to explain my thinking about the ultimate meaning of human life and my religious views, and to show how my thinking evolved over time. Many readers with strong scientific backgrounds may have struggled with such questions, and I am happy to share briefly my religious journey (which is still a work in progress) to see if any of it might be of benefit to others.
I want to give a brief outline of my progress, and then share some additional thoughts.
· My childhood was spent with family within a religious tradition in small-town America (in my case Roman Catholicism, with regular church attendance).
· Excellent elementary and high school education (Catholic schools) provided a solid foundation in Old Testament and New Testament content, Catholic doctrine, and some discussion of the world's many religions. High school religion classes included broad reading (such as the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber's influential book, I and Thou). I was introduced to and very impressed by Soren Kierkegaard's concept of the necessity of a "leap of faith." I was exposed to the works of Thomas Aquinas and his "proofs of God." I never at any time in my life had a literal interpretation of biblical or religious writings.
· I had solid biology and chemistry education from the age of 14 on, and I had a detailed understanding as a teenager of natural selection and Darwinian evolution. I had first-hand knowledge of geology and fossil collecting as a teenager. Starting at age 12, I pursued extensive reading in astronomy, biology, biochemistry, cosmology, physics, math, special and general relativity, and quantum mechanics.

· At ages 18 to 22 I was very concerned that humans probably did lack free will. It seemed that human action was totally shaped by "nature and nurture" (genetics and environment), but I hoped that a good argument for the existence of free will would emerge. I had a strong belief in the "unity of truth"...

Edition details

• Publisher: Russell Enterprises, Inc.
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1963885155
• ISBN 13: 9781963885156
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 288