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Testing Truths: The Death of Freedom
A collection of thought-provoking theories on how science affects our lives.
To explore the problems of our origins, and what we are, we need to know which of the things that we learn in life are true or false – and shades of probability between these extremes. The scientific philosopher Karl Popper pointed out that a hypothesis should be testable through experiment. It is then possible to prove if it is false1 and, if false, must be rejected. If, on the other hand, the hypothesis passes all the experimental tests that have ever been made of it, it is called “a truth”.
This book is a brief view of what has come to be over a period of 13.7 billion years; one not simply, collectively, and consequentially previously told. In the language of yesteryear, it takes us from bang to man; or in that of today, from forces to females. It briefly summarises the evidence that answers the child’s question "how did people get here?” But more importantly, on the basis of this, and other, evidence, it then strives to answer their further question "why do people do that?” The answers challenge adults and, looking at the world’s problems, are of supreme importance – for the vast majority of the world’s populace are either unaware of, or do not accept, many fundamental evidence-based truths. It is to them that 'Testing Truths' is addressed.
AUDIENCE
Age 16 – 60
High school science background and interest – good
Scientific career - very good
This books is for those with interest in understanding the world around us: chemistry and biology and how human civilization arose from the Big Bang.
It is suitable for readers of the Times, Guardian, Telegraph, New York Times.
COMPARATIVE AUTHORS
This book is of an ilk to those written by Richard Dawkins (Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL is an English ethnologist, evolutionary biologist and author). Popular books include:
• 'The Greatest Show on Earth'
• 'The God Delusion'
• 'The Selfish Gene'
• 'The Blind Watchmaker '
Some works by Dawkins are referenced in 'Testing Truths'.
Also Simon Conway Morris author of 'Life's Solution'.
'Testing Truths' differs in several respects from the books by Morris and Dawkins but adopts a similar stance – that of understanding the world (chemistry, biology) and well developed scientific principles and using them to explain and understand phenomena which many may believe are mysterious (e.g. cultures and religion) and ascribe such "wonders" to a God.
Dudley’s book takes the tenants of scientific principles developed in the first part of the book and applies them to a discussion of human behaivour.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
The first half of 'Testing Truths' takes the reader through a diverse range of topics which have resulted in the world we know, or as posed in preface of the book “How did people get here?" This starts with a concise description of the Universe following the Big Bang and the forces which formed atomic nuclei and stars. The second and perhaps more challenging part of the book focuses on the question “Why do people do that?” Here the author tackles a range of the popular topics including the notion of “free will”, the role of religion, intelligent design and the chaos of political and financial systems.
Scroll up and click the 'Look Inside' feature to see more!
To explore the problems of our origins, and what we are, we need to know which of the things that we learn in life are true or false – and shades of probability between these extremes. The scientific philosopher Karl Popper pointed out that a hypothesis should be testable through experiment. It is then possible to prove if it is false1 and, if false, must be rejected. If, on the other hand, the hypothesis passes all the experimental tests that have ever been made of it, it is called “a truth”.
This book is a brief view of what has come to be over a period of 13.7 billion years; one not simply, collectively, and consequentially previously told. In the language of yesteryear, it takes us from bang to man; or in that of today, from forces to females. It briefly summarises the evidence that answers the child’s question "how did people get here?” But more importantly, on the basis of this, and other, evidence, it then strives to answer their further question "why do people do that?” The answers challenge adults and, looking at the world’s problems, are of supreme importance – for the vast majority of the world’s populace are either unaware of, or do not accept, many fundamental evidence-based truths. It is to them that 'Testing Truths' is addressed.
AUDIENCE
Age 16 – 60
High school science background and interest – good
Scientific career - very good
This books is for those with interest in understanding the world around us: chemistry and biology and how human civilization arose from the Big Bang.
It is suitable for readers of the Times, Guardian, Telegraph, New York Times.
COMPARATIVE AUTHORS
This book is of an ilk to those written by Richard Dawkins (Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL is an English ethnologist, evolutionary biologist and author). Popular books include:
• 'The Greatest Show on Earth'
• 'The God Delusion'
• 'The Selfish Gene'
• 'The Blind Watchmaker '
Some works by Dawkins are referenced in 'Testing Truths'.
Also Simon Conway Morris author of 'Life's Solution'.
'Testing Truths' differs in several respects from the books by Morris and Dawkins but adopts a similar stance – that of understanding the world (chemistry, biology) and well developed scientific principles and using them to explain and understand phenomena which many may believe are mysterious (e.g. cultures and religion) and ascribe such "wonders" to a God.
Dudley’s book takes the tenants of scientific principles developed in the first part of the book and applies them to a discussion of human behaivour.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
The first half of 'Testing Truths' takes the reader through a diverse range of topics which have resulted in the world we know, or as posed in preface of the book “How did people get here?" This starts with a concise description of the Universe following the Big Bang and the forces which formed atomic nuclei and stars. The second and perhaps more challenging part of the book focuses on the question “Why do people do that?” Here the author tackles a range of the popular topics including the notion of “free will”, the role of religion, intelligent design and the chaos of political and financial systems.
Scroll up and click the 'Look Inside' feature to see more!
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2013
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