Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist
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Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist
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Narrated by:
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Michael Shermer
About this listen
Despite our best efforts, we're all vulnerable to believing things without using logic or having proper evidence—and it doesn't matter how educated or well read we are.
But there is a method for avoiding such pitfalls of human nature, and it's called skepticism. By using rational inquiry and seeing subjects from a scientific perspective, we can approach even the most sensitive claims with clear eyes to ultimately arrive at the truth.
During 18 lectures that will surprise, challenge, and entertain you, you will learn how to think, not just what to think—and you'll come to understand why extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
You'll discover how skepticism can help differentiate between real science and pseudoscience, as well as between "scientific" history and pseudohistory—distinctions that have serious educational and political implications.
Fascinating case studies illustrate how you can apply the methods of skepticism to detect specious claims and faulty logic in any scenario you encounter such as:
- The methodology employed by Holocaust deniers
- Arguments made by proponents of creationism
- The biology of near-death experiences and the sensed-presence effect
- Psychic abilities and other "paranormal" phenomena.
As you learn how our brains work to form beliefs, you'll examine the classic fallacies of thought that lead us to experience mistakes in thinking and to form bad arguments in favor of our beliefs.
Is there a God? Is there life after death? Is there a basis for morality without God? Skepticism 101 doesn't shy away from controversial questions, nor does it give final answers. What it offers are methods and hard evidence for rationally evaluating various claims and positions, and an opportunity to understand why you believe what you believe.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great CoursesWhat listeners say about Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sean coady
- 12-08-2023
Respectful course that is worth the time.
Shermer does a great job weaving critical thinking into everyday life and makes it easier to understand why some of your family and friends believe weird stuff. Thanks Michael.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- jaise
- 01-08-2017
well worth listening to
very useful lessons. not number 1 on my list and no real ground shattering discoveries. would have been more useful to me at the start of my studies but as the name suggests it is 101 material.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Nic
- 02-06-2017
The tools and knowledge to make up your own mind
the tools and knowledge to make yup your own mind whilst being aware of your own bias
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 07-02-2023
The wort of the The Great Courses
I’m a fan of The Great Courses, but this is by far the worst one I’ve heard so far.
The only interesting section was on cognitive biases, which is better covered in other courses.
Unfortunately knowing about these biases clearly does not prevent them from impacting the lecturers opinions - which are presented as fact without any convincing evidence presented. While other theories are written off as clearly wrong - again without any convincing evidence being presented.
In fact the lecturer often contradicts himself, using the same logic he just dismissed as nonsensical to attempt to ‘prove’ a theory he agrees with.
In one instance, the argument against a theory is just a list of other theories.
It’s so one sided that it’s actually difficult to listen to, which is ironic since it’s supposed to be ‘Skepticism 101’.
The majority of series is strongly focused on religion, which I didn’t find particularly interesting, but the lecturer was clearly trying to push his own agenda rather than be skeptical.
It’s a real shame, I was hoping to learn something, or hear about a broad range of topics from different angles, but instead this is just a mess of inconsistencies and fallacies that makes it difficult to get any value out of the course.
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