| Title: | The Joy of Science |
| Other Titles: | An Examination of How Scientists Ask and Answer Questions Using the Story of Evolution as a Paradigm |
| Authors: | Lockshin, Richard A |
| Keywords: | Science THEORY OF EVOLUTION: |
| Issue Date: | 2007 |
| Publisher: | Springer |
| Abstract: | Scientists have great passion. What could be more exhilarating than to go to work every day feeling as if you were once again a nine-year-old called up to he stage to help the magician with his trick? To be a researcher is to always be in the position of having the chance to see how the trick works. No wonder that many researchers feel that each new day is the most exciting day to be a scientist. It therefore is not surprising that scientists have such trouble communicating with non-scientists. It is difficult for the scientist to understand a life not focused on the desire to understand. But the differences are not that. Everyone wants to understand; that is one of the factors that make us human. The difference is more that scientists limit their definition of comprehension to specific rules of logic and evidence. These rules apply and are used in everyday life, but often with less rigor or restrictions on evidence. |
| Description: | For further resources, more technical sources and interesting web pages are listed at the end of most chapters. Of course, nothing beats reading Darwin’s original books, The Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, and Voyage of the Beagle, or any of several books and essays by Stephen Jay Gould, Ernst Mayr, or other more recent giants of the field. A more popular summary, written by a science reporter, is Carl Zimmer’s Evolution: The Triumph of an Idea, Harper Collins, 2001. It was written in conjunction with a PBS series on Evolution, which is likewise available from the Public Broadcasting System (http://www.pbs.org). Some of the references that you will find in this book are to Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org). They are used because they are readily accessible–the function of Wikipedia. However, readers should appreciate that most articles are written by graduate students, who may have good understanding but rarely a historical perspective, and the articles are usually not written by established authorities. Most of the articles, however, contain appended references that are generally reliable. Finally, there are of course many people to whom I am indebted for assis- tance in the preparation of this book. Many readers will recognize my indebt- edness to many excellent writers in this field such as Steven Jay Gould writings, but especially The Mismeasurement of Man) and Jared Diamond (Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse). I attempt to summarize some of their arguments. Hopefully, readers will be encouraged to read the more voluminous but exciting and challenging full works. In addition to the many teachers and lecturers from whom I have profited at all stages of my career and the administrators at St. John’s University who encouraged and supported the development of the course from which this book is derived. Among the friends who have read and commented—with excellent suggestions—on various sections and drafts, and offered many worthwhile books and readings, I count (in alphabetical order) Mitchell Baker, Dan Brovey, Andrew Greller, and Michael Lockshin. My colleague, friend, and wife, Zahra Zakeri, has offered many cogent criticisms and, of course, has been most helpful and tolerant of my endless searches, writings, and musings. I dedicate this book to her None of these individuals has any responsibility for any weaknesses, errors, or other problems. |
| URI: | http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/60 |
| ISBN: | 978-1-4020-6099-1 |
| Appears in Collections: | ARTS & SCIENCE |
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007_Book_TheJoyOfScience.pdf | 16.2 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
