The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

I keep extra copies of this for gifts

This is absolutely one of the finest works demonstrating the difference between the process of science and the body of knowledge we have gained through its use. Sagan uses the phrase 'baloney detection toolkit' several times in this book, and it applies wonderfully across the spectrum of experience in our lives. When applied to the claims of various types of cultural environment, the practices he points out can easily help individuals see through the fraudulent claims of those who would pretend to use 'science' to 'prove' their pet theory. As a walk through history, this book also shows how people have been misled terribly by persons whose vested interest lies in such deception. For this reason alone it is worth reading, as the similarities between many of those past situations and those occurring today do show that history certainly does have a habit of repeating itself. This book is a wonderful tool for developing the one thing that will help you throughout your entire life: a skeptical mind. Not a cynical one, a skeptical one. I can't give this book higher ratings - or I would. I try to always keep two extra copies around to give to friends who might appreciate it. Do yourself a favor, and pick it up.

18 out of 18 people found this review helpful.

A must read for everyone!

One of my favorite books. This is truly a manifesto on clear thinking. A book which clearly explains what science is truly about. Something people are very confused about especially when they are constantly being bombarded by unreliable information through the media and when new age and irrational thinking continue to thrive and even be 'trendy'. As Einstein said (and Sagan quoted): Science as child-like and primitive as it may be, is the most precious thing we have...

12 out of 12 people found this review helpful.

An absolutely awful brainwashing about ignorance.

I understand that there is a large population of 'Scientifically Illiterate' people in this world, and Sagan does a good job of pointing out who these people and groups are. However, the method used to get his point across goes absolutely against what he preaches is wrong in this book. First, he uses blatant fallacies to scare the reader into accepting his claim. For instance, saying that we would be dead without advances in Science. (Not an actual quote, but the message is sent across through 5 pages, even about being dead.) He gives an example of Pseudoscience and bashes it horribly, especially religious beliefs. Second, he often uses statistics of an un-cited origin. One survey he discussed is taken at a dinner table with family and friends. Do you rely on your best friend to explain the universe? Probably not. He criticizes seers and fortunetellers for having no concrete proof of their claims. Where's his? He emphasizes the sharp and meticulous criticism of claims made by pseudo-scientists so that people do not just willingly accept claims of knowledge without rational reasoning. Why should you not also criticize his claims? Especially since he seems to use every trick in the book to make you accept his claims. If you read this book, please do not give in to his claims to knowledge just because he seems to have authority in the matter. This man is not enlightened simply intelligent, crafty and fed up with blind ignorance. Please be skeptic of this book as you trudge through his jargon-filled arguments of grandeur.

10 out of 52 people found this review helpful.

Wow, read objectively, can transform your perspective

This is one of the most refreshing and interesting books I've read. Throughout the entire book Sagan eloquently explains away many ideas that run our lives. The massive amount of rhetorical questions are the icing on the cake. Sagan's skepticism and ability to 'detect baloney' are qualities that are greatly needed in our society. Sagan is MY candle in the dark.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

The best book I have ever read

I must say that this book changed my views more than any other book. There is a noticeable rise in irrationalism and pseudo-science in our times, largely promoted by the media (esp the TV). This phenonmenon, if unchecked will totally destroy the younger generations' ability to solve their problems using a rational, logical and scientific means. Instead, they will view mystical, religious, ritualistic means as effective means to solve human problems. The rise of such irrational views will undo human progress and civilization. Making Carl Sagan's book, esp. the Demon Haunted World a required reading in schools, will counter this current rise of irrationalism. If you are a media personnel and if you care about the human race, you should stop promoting stupidity and instead promote a scientific view and propounded by Carl Sagan in this book.

8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

A strong defense of the skeptical paradigm.

Sagan is a generally good writer, and in this now-classic book he penned a strong and usually compelling defense of the skeptical paradigm. The book is replete with good examples, and has several chapters well worth reading for those who are either budding skeptics, or are interested in learning about how to think critically and scientifically. The man, to be sure, understood science and was a solid critical thinker.

Unfortunately, the organization of the book is somewhat lacking. Sagan touches many of the classic pseudoscientific bugbears like alien abductions, UFOs, hypnotic regression, and prophetic visions, but he bounces from one to the other, never really spending enough time on one topic in concert to make it feel as though he has thoroughly covered the material. Make no mistake, by the end much of it has been thoroughly covered -- especially UFOs and abductions -- but the coverage is disjointed. He seems to have done this to show the reader the common threads to many of these concepts, but the effect is to produce a lack of organization in the narrative. He would have been better, I think, with a more classical organization, covering each topic in a single, coherent chapter.

The book is well worth a read and has kept me interested throughout, even though I have read or heard most of these ideas from skeptics in the recent past (many, I realize now, borrowed in whole or in part from this book, which came out almost 15 years ago). And some of Sagan's quotes are priceless. It just lacks a little in organization.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A painfully honest insight into the state of our population's collective intelligence

Whenever I am asked that impossible question 'What is your favorite book?' This is THE book that I have settled upon as my answer. It is a sorely needed dose of medicine for our collective minds. The one unfortunate thing is that those people who might benefit most by its reading, are the ones who will likely be busy reading exactly something else instead. Excellent Job Carl...we miss you.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is, essentially, my Bible

This was the first book I checked out from my college library. I absolutely devoured it within a few days. The illuminating essays, observations, analogies, and experiences Sagan offered would influence the way I viewed the universe, the preciousness of life, and the importance of being a skeptic and critically thinking.

To say that Carl Sagan was one of the most important scientists and popularizers of science would be a gross understatement. What you should also know is that he is an excellent writer, able to weave complex science into entertaining and easy to read essays about the natural world, human psychology, and more. The Demon Haunted World offers both education and entertainment, insightful debunkings of pseudoscience, and reflections upon concepts such as faith and nationalism.

I keep two copies of this book in my library at any time. One for my own re-readings. The second to gift to others that I think could use the illuminating essays to expand their horizons. If you haven't read this book, I suggest that you give it a serious consideration.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Review of The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan

One often finds themselves asking the questions that plague the minds of people both educated and uneducated. These are the questions of pseudoscience and mysticism. Carl Sagan, one of the premier scientific writers of the 20th century analyzes the world of pseudoscience and why people believe these ideas. One of the main "phenomenon" that Sagan analyzes is that of extra-terrestrials including UFO's. This is because this is one of the most widely believed and reported pseudoscientific phenomenon. He discounts the experience of alien abduction as a sleeping disorder known as sleep paralysis, discounts UFO's as hundreds of other logical explanations ranging from hoaxes to photographic anomalies that occur naturally due to reflection of light inside the lens. Also he reinforces the government explanation that the Roswell incident was caused by a weather balloon, which were widely used in the day to spy on the Soviets. The underlying theme of Sagan's novel is his powerful love of science, it is his religion and what he considers to be the only hope for the future. The fact that the common person knows more about the world of pseudoscience than that of actual science which relates to every facet of their life. He warns against a future in which all other countries of the world have surpassed America in science and technology and we become too far behind to catch up. This novel is an excellent look at science from the inside, and from common culture from the outside. Sagan also criticizes the scientific community for its wasted energy on military and destructive sciences such as the hydrogen bomb and chemicals like Agent Orange. Sagan expalins how the gulibility of the masses plays an important role in how these phenomenon have become so widespread. In all of this Sagan maintains his fluid and comprehensive style. This is such an important quality in a scientific book because the people he wants to read this novel are the ones who do not usually understand scientific material. These are the people who embrace pseudoscience as fact and spread it to others to distract them from the real world, who flock to the people who claim to have mystical powers of premonition, or those who can heal with a touch. The problem is that people find these things which are probably not real more interesting than the real scientific advanvcements that are made every day. The Demon Haunted World is an excellent book that looks at the scientific world in a different light and discounts many of the pseudoscientific phenomenon in our world.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Demon Haunted World

Sagan's writing style can be appreciated throughout all sections of The Demon Haunted World. His unique flow of words helps you better understand the complex ideas he is trying to present, and he is able to make you fully understand many odd concepts that you have probably never thought of prior to reading this. Instead of criticizing the beliefs of others, Sagan simply states his ideas and presents solid theories without sounding biased or condescending to those who may feel differently.

The point of this book is to inform readers about the many things they believe in without explanations. Sagan accomplishes this thoroughly without stepping on anyone's toes, and it is for this reason that this book is so well respected. Throughout it, Sagan brings light towards the many things people believe in without scientific proof or logical explanation. Reading this, one may think a lot about religion, where is comes from, and what its purpose is. Sagan's connection between pseudosciences and religion is excellent and very scholarly as well. Although many people say they do not believe in the unexplainable things mentioned in this book (such as UFO's and ghosts,) many believe in religion; something so common, yet lacking in scientific explanation and proof of existence.

This book is an eye-opening piece of literature that will keep you thinking for days.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Pleasantly Surprising

I was initially quite hesitant to read a book written by a scientist. I feared that it may be just like any other dry, lengthy textbook just spewing out facts and information. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Sagan is not only a highly intelligent and passionate scientist, but also a talented writer. He conveyed knowledge in an eloquent, clear way. He drew a distinct line between what science is real science, and that which is fostered by the media and mass culture. It was intriguing, if not gripping read, and I have a great respect for Sagan's point of view and his assertions of truth.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

may never be topped

Still one of the most important works describing a scientific world view to a general audience ever written. It is fascinating for both the novice and the expert, is never condescending or boring. I would recommend buying a few copies to give out as gifts.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Not quite the whole story

As someone who's investigated ESP and other psi phenomena, reading Sagan was enlightening. People can be very ignorant, but it's more to do with selective attention and other kinds of bias which creep into everyday events. However, it must be noted that this isn't the whole picture. Just run a search on 'precognitive habituation'. There is an anomaly which cannot be explained by current scientific understanding. Even Sagan admits that it requires further investigation. Psychologists and philosophers will have to do better if they want to debunk all cases of extrasensory perception in the lab.

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Rational thinking for irrational times

I just read this book, and was astounded by the level of ignorance out there, and I was also hopeful, because every so often a person like him comes along and can debunk the myths without being insulting. Sould be read by everyone in power, along with billion and billions.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent and well argued

Occasionally the book goes off on tangents, but it is largely on topic and when it is it is well argued and well researched. Sagan was a smart man and a good author.

It is easily accessible regardless of the readers foreknowledge.

A classic that should be in every skeptic and scientists' librar

A classic that should be in every skeptic and scientists' library.

disturbing yet inspiring

One of the last books of Carl Sagan's life, this is an important defense of reason and the scientific method against pseudoscience and antiscience in modern society, especially as seen against the backdrop of medieval and early-modern witch hunts. But it's also a deeply personal meditation on the meaning of human existence in a cosmos without magical divine intervention, written as Sagan fought the illness that would claim his life in less than a year after its publication. I personally found the early chapters on pseudoscience (UFO abductions, especially) tedious and overdone. But as a scientist and lifelong fan of Sagan, the book was an engaging and sometimes inspiring look into his brave spirit.

Brilliant!

My eyes are open and my "baloney detection toolkit" is at the ready.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Absolutely brilliant!

Carl Sagan is, without a doubt, one of the most accomplished and intelligent men of the entire 20th century. Other things aside, his influence will be drifting through the cosmos long after our Solar System is dead. That's saying a lot! It's difficult to properly describe just how good he was at popularizing science. Not only did he make it approachable for everyone, he kept it interesting while never dumbing down anything for anyone for any reason. For anyone who has watched his hit tv series "Cosmos", you will be delighted to see that his writing style is a good reflection of what you have seen on tv. Like any author should be when approaching such topics, his book is well researched and well cited. He goes deep into human psychology, why people believe the things that they do. He is never disrespectful about it. He goes on, for instance, to mention that some people who think they have been the victims of alien abductions are reluctant to talk about it (that not all such people are simply media whores). He goes into reasons where these perceptions might come about, how unscrupulous psychologists/psychiatrists have abused their power to lead people to false conclusions about their own memories (generally false/implanted memories). He goes on to even the mainstream media can be very easily mislead (either by a charlatan, or someone pretending to be one for the sake of exposing the media's general lack of criticism over supernatural claims). He even discussing the hysteria in the U.S. over the supposed threat of devil worshiping cults back in the '80s (the mass abduction of children and their eventual sacrifices, all of which were claimed and believed without the slightest shred of evidence). I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Interesting!

Reading this for scientific purposes would not be the main aspect of this book. It is extremely fun to read, as well as very interesting; however, it does not provide terribly useful information to serious scientists unless they are looking for information of the "unknown." Perhaps the most interesting aspect is the different perspectives Sagan takes in each of the essays. While he discusses the main esoteric purposes in each essay, he also invites a lot of skepticism. Sagan purposesly writes to question, as well as prove.
One of the best things about this books is that it is not difficult to read. I've always had difficulty understanding scientific principles, especially in long essay form. Sagan writes flawlessly and with flow, which explains these sometimes vague and obscure topics with ease. This makes it an excellent choice for a general reader who is looking for something with a bit more substance than fiction. The subject matter also makes it a compelling choice because the reader seeks a solution to the mysteries at the end of each essay.