What Science Is And How It Works

Scientific advances have transformed the world. However, science can sometimes get things wrong, and at times, disastrously so. Understanding the basis for scientific claims and judging how much confidence we should place in them is essential for individual choice, societal debates, and development of public policy and laws.

We must ask: What is the basis of scientific claims? How much confidence should we put in them? What is defined as science and what is not? This book synthesizes a working definition of science and its properties, as explained through the eyes of a practicing scientist, by integrating advances from philosophy, psychology, history, sociology, and anthropology into a holistic view. Crucial in our political climate, the book fights the myths of science often portrayed to the public. Written for a general audience, it also enables students to better grasp methodologies and helps professional scientists to articulate what they do and why.

Praise

Book Reviews

Cambridge University Press

Amazon

Praise

“…a marvelously cogent and eminently readable book that explains how to recognize good science and know when to question poor “scientific” conclusions…I would feel much better going to the polls if every voter understood the lessons that Zimring effortlessly communicates”
Brian R. Smith MD, Professor Yale University

Referring to Carl Sagan’s Book The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle In the Dark “These two books would be just great on every bookshelf of every scientist or anyone who believes in scientific thinking; that they’re great companion books to each other”
David Schlom, Host of NPR’s podcast Blue Dot (episode 162)

I recommend it to you with great enthusiasm and hope that you will tell others about a wonderfully enriching opportunity to learn about the bases of scientific discovery and its implications for society.
Paul Ness MD, Professor Johns Hopkins University

The message of this extraordinary book is loud and clear: we need a better understanding of science. That it is written by a scientist -- and aimed in part at a scientific audience -- makes the message all the more credible...and urgent. Science may not be perfect, but it is the best hope we've got. Zimring has written an engaging and accessible book on the importance of digging beneath what we think we know about science.
Lee McIntyre, Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University; author of The Scientific Attitude: Defending Science from Denial, Fraud, and Pseudoscience