Synopses & Reviews
With startling and original vision, Chet Raymo reveals two distinct intellectual postures--and how this chasm divides scientists, philosophers, and thinkers into two opposing camps.
The world, claims Chet Raymo, is divided into Skeptics and True Believers. Skeptics trust the ability of the human mind to make sense of the world. Their world is coloured in shades of grey; they are tolerant of cultural and religious diversity. True believers are less confident that humans can sort things out for themselves. They look for help from outside--from God, spirits or extraterrestrials. They seek simple and certain truths, are comforted by dogma and respectful of authority.
Raymo argues that this division represents a fault line in our culture, a chasm more profound than differences of politics or religious affiliation. He examines these two frames of mind, specifically with regard to science and religion, but with a wide-ranging and clear vision of their impact on our culture, touching on such topics as poetry, natural science, genetics and miracles.
Tech Q&A
Read the Tech Q&A with Chet Raymo