Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist

By: Michael Shermer, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Michael Shermer

Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

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 Courses

W.O.W.

Absolutely loved it. Clear, concise and engaging. I highly recommend it to anyone with a hungry mind.

excellent book

This is an excellent book detailing critical thinking by scientific method. I think it is something that everyone should listen to. Regardless of what your beliefs are. It is the basis of all our advancement in science. And the reason for the high standard of living that most people have now. Even the poorest compared to Kings in centuries past.

enlightening

the most important lesson one can learn is how to think critically. Courses like this should be required in schools and universities

excellent as far as lectures go

I enjoyed it, glad to have a lecture with this man as my guide through it.

A good start to critical thinking

Would you consider the audio edition of Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist to be better than the print version?

I've never seen the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked each section delving more in depth with a good amount of background information.

What about Professor Michael Shermer’s performance did you like?

At the end he refers those more interested in the subject to checkout the magazine and even contact him with questions, which I've done and he responds. Even with the dumb stuff .

What did you learn from Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist that you would use in your daily life?

I'm still going to get nailed with my own cognitive biases but it's always good to remind yourself that they exist which is a good way to minimize the effect.

Any additional comments?

I've read some of the books he mentions, Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World was amazing and my first introduction to his baloney detection. This started out a bit of a rehash on those themes so I expected to not learn a whole lot of new information. A few sections in and the material was much more expanded upon with more background. I'm a fan of VS Ramachandran and Oliver Sacks so if you like those books I think this is a good diversion whilst waiting for their next. I would love to see volume 2 eventually.

Great tools for thinking critically

This course provides excellent insight into how to think like a scientist and examine the claims made by quakes, crackpots, and con artists.

excelente curso, perfectament presentado

el autor (y presentador) hace gala de su dominio del tema.
en las páginas web reconendadas puedes descargar la versión escrita de este curso completamente gratis.

Excellent and comprehensive overview of Skepticism

This is an excellent course on the many aspects of skepticism with concise and clear narration..
While Michael Shermer is both a skeptic and an atheist he provides a balanced view on the various claims that skeptics and scientists attempt to answer from religion to alien abductions and astrology etc.

Worthwhile

This was an excellent survey of the concept of skepticism. It's covered A lot of ground but most of the areas were not covered in great depth. However, it would provide a basis for anyone more interested in the subject to explore it further.

loved it

This was a very interesting lecture . I learned a lot. The professor was very clear, and we'll at explaining. He spoke clear and was easy to follow. He she'd light on alot of folk tale and human comprehension. I recommend it to anyone interested in real answers and how to determine truth from false.