Uncommon Sense: The Heretical Nature of Science

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 256 pages
• Published by: Oxford University Press, USA August 24, 1995
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0195096363
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0195096361
• Book Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Weighs: 10.6 ounces

From Publishers Weekly
Science is "heretical," according to Northeastern University physics professor Cromer, because its essence--objectivity--defies primitive human egocentrism. He suggests that objectivity is a very uncommon kind of thinking that evolved only in ancient Greece. Many countries established astrological systems, he points out, but only Greece produced solid geometry and number theory. Cromer nails his thesis against the doors of what he perceives as the current orthodoxies of New Age romanticism, political correctness and multiculturalism, reiterating his view that the core of scientifc thinking was a uniquely Western discovery and not a natural development latent in all evolving civilizations. He believes that this "uncommon sense" is easily overwhelmed by the persistent infantile appeal of such "magical" explanations of our observed world as UFOs, the paranormal and crystal channelings. Cromer and colleagues have conceived a science curriculum called SEED (Science Education Experiments & Demonstrations) for students and teachers in the middle school grades which is worthy of consideration by all educators. Illustrations.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews
Cromer (Physics/Northeastern) advances several agendas in this provocative, polemical work. For starters, he asserts that science isn't an inevitable development in advanced cultures. Rather, he sees most people at most times stuck in the egocentric/magical world that Piaget described as central to the early developmental stages of childhood. Had it not been for the Greeks--with their democratic penchant for dialogue and debate--and the brilliance of Euclid, Archimedes, et al. (but not Aristotle), we might still be animists or dependent on religious prophets for our cosmology and cosmogony. The author contends that it was the rebirth of Greek science in the Renaissance, combined with the age of exploration and the invention of movable type, that created today's world dominated by science and technology. We've arrived at a stage where we can talk about the completeness of science and, based on probabilities and calculations, Cromer concludes that there's no point in seeking extraterrestrial intelligence or dreaming of intergalactic travel. Moreover, if we're to improve the world, we'd better do something about our schools: Instead of making them substitutes for home, as well as vehicles for social policies, we need to incorporate dynamic hands-on science programs, pouring our resources into the eighth and ninth grades and eliminating the last two years of high school. Wow. Clearly he who credits the Greeks for the spirit of debate will himself invite debate. What of the history of technologymathematicsinductive proofsthe (Indian) invention of zero? As for the completeness of science, that's what they said in 1900and said again in the early days of the genetic code. Overall, then, a generous helping of hubris here--but not without redeeming insights on good and terrible science, as well as examples of Cromer's own work in reforming middle-school science curricula. (Nineteen line drawings) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
This review is from: Uncommon Sense: The Heretical Nature of Science (Hardcover) I enjoyed this book very much. I takes us on a trip down the path of human intellectual development that begins before we were human, when we were apes, through prehistory, ancient history, and up to the present day. I strongly recommend the book. However, the author says some things that I think are extremely unlikely, such as his idea that if the Greeks had not made certain mathematical discoveries they would probably never have been made. He makes some scientific errors, such as his idea about the maximum speed of a space ship which I am almost certain is incorrect. There are a number of other errors in the book, but it is still a great book. Don't believe everything you read in this book, but do read it and enjoy it. It will make you think.