It Started with Copernicus: Vital Questions About Science

Parsons (philosophy, Univ. of Houston at Clear Lake; Rational Episodes; God and the Burden of Proof) sparks alternative perspectives in the dialog concerning science in society in this expanded and revised version of the 2006 original. This publication comes at a crucial time when the field has lost some of its luster and promise for general folks. The most newsworthy arguments have become polarized between science and religion, painting a false dichotomy of it being necessary to choose one or the other. Parsons approaches science as a philosopher, asking questions such as: Is science rational? What happens when humans are added to the mix of what is rational or what is true? This breaks the disagreement and forces readers to examine their own views. One of the most valuable aspects of the book is the author's review of the history of science, particularly in cases such as Copernicus's theory of heliocentricity, which challenged widely held beliefs and caused visceral, often unpleasant reactions. The parallels with modern debates are hard to ignore.