The Demon-Haunted World: Science As A Candle In The Dark

In this stirring, brilliantly argued book, internationally respected scientist Carl Sagan shows how scientific thinking is necessary to safeguard our democratic institutions and our technical civilisation. From an American president consulting horoscopes to a medieval court burning nine-year-old 'witches', Sagan shows the hazards of scientific ignorance. Convincingly debunking alien abduction, mediums, faith-healing fraud, and other modern day 'demons', he also refutes the argument that science destroys spirituality, asks why scientific study is often stigmatised, and provides a 'baloney detection kit' for thinking through political, social and other issues.