Skepticism 101: How to Think like a Scientist

By: Michael Shermer, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Michael Shermer

Despite our best efforts, we're all vulnerable to believing things without using logic or having proper evidence—and it doesn't matter how educated or well read we are.

But there is a method for avoiding such pitfalls of human nature, and it's called skepticism. By using rational inquiry and seeing subjects from a scientific perspective, we can approach even the most sensitive claims with clear eyes to ultimately arrive at the truth.

During 18 lectures that will surprise, challenge, and entertain you, you will learn how to think, not just what to think—and you'll come to understand why extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

You'll discover how skepticism can help differentiate between real science and pseudoscience, as well as between "scientific" history and pseudohistory—distinctions that have serious educational and political implications.

Fascinating case studies illustrate how you can apply the methods of skepticism to detect specious claims and faulty logic in any scenario you encounter such as:

• The methodology employed by Holocaust deniers
• Arguments made by proponents of creationism
• The biology of near-death experiences and the sensed-presence effect
• Psychic abilities and other "paranormal" phenomena.

As you learn how our brains work to form beliefs, you'll examine the classic fallacies of thought that lead us to experience mistakes in thinking and to form bad arguments in favor of our beliefs.

Is there a God? Is there life after death? Is there a basis for morality without God? Skepticism 101 doesn't shy away from controversial questions, nor does it give final answers. What it offers are methods and hard evidence for rationally evaluating various claims and positions, and an opportunity to understand why you believe what you believe.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2013 The Great Courses

Good Listen

It's about critical thinking. Stop letting traditional/cultural behaviors run your life. Turn off the TV and think.

Easy to follow.

Great examples, quick lessons, and easy to understand. The lectures were broken down into manageable time frames. I enjoyed the 30mins of each lecture.

One Truely Great Course

Wow was this a great lecture! Shermer is an interesting speaker and I found it hard to stop listening. This course should be on the list of required freshmen courses for all college students. As a skeptic in training myself, this course helped equip me with some important new tools that I know I'll be able to use at home in everyday life and in business.

W great way to sum up all the writings of Shemer

This is the best of everything he has written over the years

Listen to this first and then read all his books from the beginning.

good introductions

I liked the way he is explaining even though he was biases on certain subjects

worth the timw

New thoughts and insights worth listening to! I enjoyed the new perspective. You will get new information and ways to look at human thinking and behavior.

Terrific

I enjoyed the course very much. After listening to the course, I have become more aware of my cognitive blindspots. There were many places where I disagreed with Prof Shermer's explanation/arguments. However, that does not take anything away from the course itself. In fact, it is an outcome that Prof Shermer would welcome. An incidental benefit was the extensive bibliography accompanying the course. There were several books in it that I did not know about and now look forward to reading.
The only minor complaint I have is that he puts on a voice when quoting other people, which is a bit annoying.

Should be required book for all college students

Great book! More than just explaining "skepticism" and scientific beliefs. It explores far more important philosophic subjects and presents answers to deep questions.
I will listen to the book again in a few months.

Great course, the applauselines are weird

I enjoyed this course very much. The only downside to it would be the weird applause lines that occur between lectures. I believe he is in a booth recording it, which works out fine, but do they really need to pretend he is talking to people?

impressive delivery, insightful, profound

worth every re-listen opportunity. that was just the last half since the first half coveted much of his work in "The Believing Brain" (another great listen)