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The Resource In praise of reason, Michael P. Lynch

In praise of reason, Michael P. Lynch

Creator
Summary
  • "Why does reason matter, if (as many people seem to think) in the end everything comes down to blind faith or gut instinct? Why not just go with what you believe even if it contradicts the evidence? Why bother with rational explanation when name-calling, manipulation, and force are so much more effective in our current cultural and political landscape? Michael Lynch's In Praise of Reason offers a spirited defense of reason and rationality in an era of widespread skepticism--when, for example, people reject scientific evidence about such matters as evolution, climate change, and vaccines when it doesn't jibe with their beliefs and opinions
  • In recent years, skepticism about the practical value of reason has emerged even within the scientific academy. Many philosophers and psychologists claim that the reasons we give for our most deeply held views are often little more than rationalizations of our prior convictions. In Praise of Reason gives us a counterargument. Although skeptical questions about reason have a deep and interesting history, they can be answered. In particular, appeals to scientific principles of rationality are part of the essential common currency of any civil democratic society. The idea that everything is arbitrary--that reason has no more weight than blind faith--undermines a key principle of a civil society: that we owe our fellow citizens explanations for what we do. Reason matters--not just for the noble ideal of truth, but for the everyday world in which we live."--Pub. desc
Language
eng
Work
Publication
Extent
xii, 166 pages
Contents
  • Hope and reason
  • Neither slave nor master: reason, intuition and emotion
  • "Nothing but dreams and smoke"
  • Reasons end: tradition and common sense
  • The "sacred tradition of humanity"
  • Truth and the pathos of distance
Isbn
9780262017220
Instance
Label
In praise of reason
Title
In praise of reason
Statement of responsibility
Michael P. Lynch
Creator
Subject
Language
eng
Summary
  • "Why does reason matter, if (as many people seem to think) in the end everything comes down to blind faith or gut instinct? Why not just go with what you believe even if it contradicts the evidence? Why bother with rational explanation when name-calling, manipulation, and force are so much more effective in our current cultural and political landscape? Michael Lynch's In Praise of Reason offers a spirited defense of reason and rationality in an era of widespread skepticism--when, for example, people reject scientific evidence about such matters as evolution, climate change, and vaccines when it doesn't jibe with their beliefs and opinions
  • In recent years, skepticism about the practical value of reason has emerged even within the scientific academy. Many philosophers and psychologists claim that the reasons we give for our most deeply held views are often little more than rationalizations of our prior convictions. In Praise of Reason gives us a counterargument. Although skeptical questions about reason have a deep and interesting history, they can be answered. In particular, appeals to scientific principles of rationality are part of the essential common currency of any civil democratic society. The idea that everything is arbitrary--that reason has no more weight than blind faith--undermines a key principle of a civil society: that we owe our fellow citizens explanations for what we do. Reason matters--not just for the noble ideal of truth, but for the everyday world in which we live."--Pub. desc
Cataloging source
DLC
http://library.link/vocab/creatorDate
1966-
http://library.link/vocab/creatorName
Lynch, Michael P.
Dewey number
128/.33
Index
index present
LC call number
B833
LC item number
.L96 2012
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
http://library.link/vocab/subjectName
  • Reason
  • Reasoning
  • Rationalism
Label
In praise of reason, Michael P. Lynch
Instantiates
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Hope and reason -- Neither slave nor master: reason, intuition and emotion -- "Nothing but dreams and smoke" -- Reasons end: tradition and common sense -- The "sacred tradition of humanity" -- Truth and the pathos of distance
Control code
754389845
Dimensions
21 cm
Extent
xii, 166 pages
Isbn
9780262017220
Isbn Type
(hardcover : alk. paper)
Lccn
2011038298
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
n
System control number
(OCoLC)754389845
Label
In praise of reason, Michael P. Lynch
Publication
Bibliography note
Includes bibliographical references and index
Carrier category
volume
Carrier category code
nc
Carrier MARC source
rdacarrier
Content category
text
Content type code
txt
Content type MARC source
rdacontent
Contents
Hope and reason -- Neither slave nor master: reason, intuition and emotion -- "Nothing but dreams and smoke" -- Reasons end: tradition and common sense -- The "sacred tradition of humanity" -- Truth and the pathos of distance
Control code
754389845
Dimensions
21 cm
Extent
xii, 166 pages
Isbn
9780262017220
Isbn Type
(hardcover : alk. paper)
Lccn
2011038298
Media category
unmediated
Media MARC source
rdamedia
Media type code
n
System control number
(OCoLC)754389845

Subject

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