A Skeptical Studies Curriculum Resource What are Science & Skepticism? Resource added on: Friday, June 12, 2020 Produced by: Michael Shermer This lecture, traditionally the first in the series for the Skepticism 101 course, is based on the first couple of chapters from Dr. Michael Shermer’s first book, Why People Believe Weird Things, presenting a description of skepticism and science and how they work, along with a discussion of the difference between science and pseudoscience, and some very practical applications of how to test claims and evaluate evidence. The image for this lecture is the original oil painting for the first cover of Why People Believe Weird Things, commissioned by the publisher and painted by the artist Lawrence Berzon. Skepticism 101: How to Think Like a Scientist covers a wide range of topics, from critical thinking, reasoning, rationality, cognitive biases and how thinking goes wrong, and the scientific methods, to actual claims and whether or not there is any truth to them, e.g., ESP, ETIs, UFOs, astrology, channelling, psychics, creationism, Holocaust denial, and especially conspiracy theories and how to think about them. https://www.skeptic.com/skepticism-101/what-are-science-and-skepticism-lecture/ **************** This seems to be sorely needed here. Too many people posting pseudoscience and religious nonsense and obviously lacking scientific literacy.
This lecture is desperately needed around here, too: Michael Shermer on Evolution & Creationism, Part 1 Michael Shermer on Evolution & Creationism, Part 2. Who Says Evolution Never Happened, and Why?
