Introduction
1997 book by Michael Shermer Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time is a 1997 book by science writer Michael .1997 book by Michael Shermer Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time is a 1997 book by science writer Michael .
The foreword was written by Stephen Jay .The foreword was written by Stephen Jay .
Summary
In the first section, Shermer discusses the ideas that he has towards .In the first section, Shermer discusses the ideas that he has towards .
He also explains his conversion to Deism from New Age mysticism (to which he had converted from being a Fundamentalist Christian ).He also explains his conversion to Deism from New Age mysticism (to which he had converted from being a Fundamentalist Christian ).
In part two Shermer explains paranormal thinking and how one comes to believe in things without .In part two Shermer explains paranormal thinking and how one comes to believe in things without .
He uses Edgar Cayce as an example, and while he agrees with parts of Ayn Rand's Objectivism, he criticizes its moral absolutism and argues that many follow her philosophy unquestioningly, which he believes contradicts free .He uses Edgar Cayce as an example, and while he agrees with parts of Ayn Rand's Objectivism, he criticizes its moral absolutism and argues that many follow her philosophy unquestioningly, which he believes contradicts free .
Part three begins with Shermer describing several debates he had with Duane .Part three begins with Shermer describing several debates he had with Duane .
He lays out some creationist arguments in 25 separate claims, and attempts to debunk each one with his own .He lays out some creationist arguments in 25 separate claims, and attempts to debunk each one with his own .
He closes retelling how a constitutional ban on teaching creationism in public schools was narrowly upheld at the Supreme Court of the United States in .He closes retelling how a constitutional ban on teaching creationism in public schools was narrowly upheld at the Supreme Court of the United States in .
Shermer shows that the Holocaust deniers reject proven facts for, as he states, ideological .Shermer shows that the Holocaust deniers reject proven facts for, as he states, ideological .
Like the creationists, he asserted, many Holocaust deniers believe that the evidence sides with .Like the creationists, he asserted, many Holocaust deniers believe that the evidence sides with .
He describes meeting and arguing with the deniers and lays out their arguments then shows evidence to support his own .He describes meeting and arguing with the deniers and lays out their arguments then shows evidence to support his own .
In part five Shermer relates Frank J. Tipler to Voltaire's character Pangloss to show how smart people deceive .In part five Shermer relates Frank J. Tipler to Voltaire's character Pangloss to show how smart people deceive .
Shermer explores the psychology of scholars and business men who give up their careers in their pursuit to broadcast their paranormal .Shermer explores the psychology of scholars and business men who give up their careers in their pursuit to broadcast their paranormal .
In his last chapter, added to the revised version, Shermer explains why he believes that "intelligent people" can be more susceptible to believing in weird things than .In his last chapter, added to the revised version, Shermer explains why he believes that "intelligent people" can be more susceptible to believing in weird things than .
Reception
According to Reason, "Shermer's episodic book covers a wide range of subjects, in a wide range of .According to Reason, "Shermer's episodic book covers a wide range of subjects, in a wide range of .
He takes ritual jabs at such old debunker punching bags as ESP and UFOs (through UFOlogy's newest twist, alien abduction of ).He takes ritual jabs at such old debunker punching bags as ESP and UFOs (through UFOlogy's newest twist, alien abduction of ).
You 'll also find cogent debunkings of strange phenomena such as fire walking and psychics who can discover "unknowable" facts about .You 'll also find cogent debunkings of strange phenomena such as fire walking and psychics who can discover "unknowable" facts about .
The longest sections of the book take on the more substantive issues of creationism and Holocaust ."The longest sections of the book take on the more substantive issues of creationism and Holocaust ."
It was given 4 out of 5 stars by .It was given 4 out of 5 stars by .
co. uk, which said "In this classic, originally published in 1997 but reviewed in a new UK edition, he gives a powerful argument for taking the sceptical ".co. uk, which said "In this classic, originally published in 1997 but reviewed in a new UK edition, he gives a powerful argument for taking the sceptical ".
According to the Los Angeles Times, "Shermer's directly written book is the perfect handbook to thrust on anyone you know who has been lured into conforming paranoias that circulate amid the premillennial ."According to the Los Angeles Times, "Shermer's directly written book is the perfect handbook to thrust on anyone you know who has been lured into conforming paranoias that circulate amid the premillennial ."
The Independent Thinking Review wrote, "This is a book that deserves to be widely .The Independent Thinking Review wrote, "This is a book that deserves to be widely .
Skeptics and critical thinkers can learn from it, but more importantly, it's a book to give those who maybe aren't as skeptical as you, those who need some clear and reasonable arguments to gently push them in a more critical .Skeptics and critical thinkers can learn from it, but more importantly, it's a book to give those who maybe aren't as skeptical as you, those who need some clear and reasonable arguments to gently push them in a more critical .
Read this book yourself: buy it for someone whose mind you care ."Read this book yourself: buy it for someone whose mind you care ."