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OverviewIn the 17th century Sir Francis Bacon advocated the patient study of Nature for the benefit of mankind. Most of science today, in its study of medicine, genetics, electronics etc., continues that pragmatic Baconian tradition without fuss. Over the years, however, as its investigation of Nature probed ever deeper into regions far removed from common experience, science has increasingly exhibited traits more usually associated with fundamentalist religion that with dispassionate study. Articulate voices from biology preach the belief in 18th century materialism in the study of evolution; those from physics promulgate a kind of mathematical theology in its study of elementary particles and cosmology; both inveigh against heresy. But science should be beyond that sort of belief. It should not see its undoubted success in manipulating matter as justifying any sort of religious status, as offering a spiritual foundation alternative to religion. As a scientist myself, Brian Ridley is appalled by such theological trends, hence this book. It is an attempt to address these concerns, to reform science, to place science in its broad historical and philosophical context where dogmatic belief has no place, to remind science itself that it has limitations. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Brian K. RidleyPublisher: Imprint Academic Imprint: Imprint Academic Dimensions: Width: 13.50cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 21.00cm Weight: 0.300kg ISBN: 9781845401948ISBN 10: 1845401948 Pages: 200 Publication Date: 01 May 2010 Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate , Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly Format: Paperback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: In Print ![]() This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us. Table of ContentsReviewsThis is a refreshing and vigorous book that engages with some central issues in the history and philosophy of science. Reforming Science beyond Belief make for a thought provoking read. Its deeply humanistic distinctions between science and scientism, and between dogmatism and enlightended curiosity and spot on. -- Oren Harman """This is a refreshing and vigorous book that engages with some central issues in the history and philosophy of science."" Network Review ""Reforming Science beyond Belief make for a thought provoking read. Its deeply humanistic distinctions between science and scientism, and between dogmatism and enlightended curiosity and spot on."" -- Oren Harman European Legacy" This is a refreshing and vigorous book that engages with some central issues in the history and philosophy of science. Network Review Reforming Science beyond Belief make for a thought provoking read. Its deeply humanistic distinctions between science and scientism, and between dogmatism and enlightended curiosity and spot on. -- Oren Harman The European Legacy This is a refreshing and vigorous book that engages with some central issues in the history and philosophy of science. Network Review Author InformationBrian Ridley is Emeritus Professor of Physics in the University of Essex and a Fellow of the Royal Society. His general writings include Time, Space and Things (CUP), The Physical Environment (Wiley), and On Science (Routledge). Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |