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Summary of Brief Candle in the Dark: by Richard Dawkins | Includes Analysis
Preview : Brief Candle in the My Life in Science by Richard Dawkins is an autobiographical depiction of his experiences as a world-renowned scientist and atheist. Dawkins has experienced an endless amount of notable events in his life, many of which were very public, such as debates, conference, and television appearances. In this second volume of his memoirs, these life experiences have inspired memories of other events, background stories of people he knew, and scientific analysis of Dawkins’ theories of evolution, natural selection, biology, and religion, particularly atheism versus creationism. From 1970 to 1990, Dawkins served as University Lecturer in Animal Behaviour in the zoology department at Oxford University, and from 1990 to 1995, he was promoted to Reader. He also gave tutorials in New College, where he was made a fellow in 1970. He served on a number of committees, including a committee that discussed candidates to invite to attend the school… With Instaread, you can get the summary and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, summarize and analyze it for your convenience.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 23, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 11, 2016
I enjoyed this book much more than I expected from what I've seen of Richard Dawkins on TV - I find him grumpy and impatient and dismissive. To his credit, he discusses this and also the main reason why he should change his image - you can't change anybody's mind by calling them an idiot!
In his book he comes across as a warm, interesting human being. It's a massive tome, and covers only part of his life. I was lost in the second part, and skipped a lot of new thinking/response to his early theories, because I've never studied or understood the originals, but still well worth reading.
I had just come across the Mandela Effect & read the website with interest. Here is one of the things Dawkins says about false memory:
I was convinced I remembered Christopher’s “How DARE you” as an intervention during Rabbi Neuberger’s speech. [during a TY debate] It wasn’t. The videotape clearly shows that it was in response to a questioner from the audience.... False memory syndrome is real, interesting and disturbing...[later I met] Professor A Grayling...to the amazement of both of us, he confessed that he had exactly the same false memory. He was incredulous when I told him the true story. But the film evidence is unequivocal. Both of us had concocted the same false memory. I wonder how often that happens?...Imagine the incident apparently witnessed was a serious crime...would any jury throw out the identically corroborated, independent evidence of two witness, both university professors...?
I know my memory is unreliable, so it is comforting to know that even professors find themselves muddling up reality.
In his book he comes across as a warm, interesting human being. It's a massive tome, and covers only part of his life. I was lost in the second part, and skipped a lot of new thinking/response to his early theories, because I've never studied or understood the originals, but still well worth reading.
I had just come across the Mandela Effect & read the website with interest. Here is one of the things Dawkins says about false memory:
I was convinced I remembered Christopher’s “How DARE you” as an intervention during Rabbi Neuberger’s speech. [during a TY debate] It wasn’t. The videotape clearly shows that it was in response to a questioner from the audience.... False memory syndrome is real, interesting and disturbing...[later I met] Professor A Grayling...to the amazement of both of us, he confessed that he had exactly the same false memory. He was incredulous when I told him the true story. But the film evidence is unequivocal. Both of us had concocted the same false memory. I wonder how often that happens?...Imagine the incident apparently witnessed was a serious crime...would any jury throw out the identically corroborated, independent evidence of two witness, both university professors...?
I know my memory is unreliable, so it is comforting to know that even professors find themselves muddling up reality.
November 20, 2015
Those with strong religious beliefs will probably not like reading anything renowned scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins writes. But, the second offering of his memoirs, Brief Candle in the Dark: My Life in Science, is worth reading regardless of your religion. Dawkins goes into some detail in this book about his scientific and religious beliefs (or disbeliefs), but the key thing is his take on those who have in some way influenced him through the years. If there is a weakness in the theories Dawkins espouses, it’s that if evolution is as determinative as he believes, how can there still be so many people who refuse to believe in it. I say that tongue in cheek, because there have always been, and will always be, people who cannot accept any fact that contradicts cherished beliefs.
Brief Candle in the Dark is a book about science written for laymen; it uses a thematic/literary style in order to maintain interest, rather than a straight chronological style, and esoteric/complicated scientific terms are used sparingly.
I got the audiobook version of Instaread’s Brief Candle in the Dark: My Life in Science by Richard Dawkins/Summary & Review, and was as usual impressed. Being able to get an in depth summary of a book in a mere 15 minutes is a treat for those of us with busy schedules. It enables one to get a good idea of a book without having to read the whole book—or pay for it—and then one is able to make a more rational and informed decision on which books to buy.
Brief Candle in the Dark is a book about science written for laymen; it uses a thematic/literary style in order to maintain interest, rather than a straight chronological style, and esoteric/complicated scientific terms are used sparingly.
I got the audiobook version of Instaread’s Brief Candle in the Dark: My Life in Science by Richard Dawkins/Summary & Review, and was as usual impressed. Being able to get an in depth summary of a book in a mere 15 minutes is a treat for those of us with busy schedules. It enables one to get a good idea of a book without having to read the whole book—or pay for it—and then one is able to make a more rational and informed decision on which books to buy.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews