The Demon Haunted World

The Demon Haunted World

Carl Sagan

Pages: 434, Category: Science

Sagan, the world renowned astronomer and scientific writer, brings up investigations about the superstitious beliefs and practices in the world including pseudo-science. Many fads including alien/UFO sighting, alien abductions, astrology, Christian science etc are discussed in great detail. Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies as witchcraft, faith healings, demons and UFOs. Some of the notable quotes are,

We wait for light, but behold darkness (Isaiah 59:9)

It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness (adage)

All our science, measured against reality, is primitive and child like – and yet it is the most precious thing we have (Albert Einstein)

As the children tremble and fear everything in the blind darkness, so we in the light sometimes fear what is no more to be feared than the things children in the dark hold in terror (Lucretius, On the nature of things, 60 BC)

Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science (Charles Darwin, Introduction to The Descent of Man, 1871)

Every time a savage tracks his game he employs a minuteness of observation, and an accuracy of inductive and deductive reasoning which, applied to other matters, would assure some reputation as a man of science.. The intellectual labour of a “good hunter or warrior” considerably exceeds that of an ordinary Englishman. (Thomas H Huxley)

We also know how cruel the truth often is, and we wonder whether delusion is not more consoling (Henri Poincare)

Ubi dubium ibi libertas,(Where there is doubt, there is freedom) (Latin proverb)

Overall rating: 4 Star