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The Mind's Sky: Human Intelligence in a Cosmic Context
by Timothy FerrisThe bestselling author of Coming of Age in the Milky Way brilliantly synthesizes inner and outer space, brain-mind science and SETI in this penetrating examination of the universe.
The Mind--Body Problem
by Jonathan WestphalPhilosophers from Descartes to Kripke have struggled with the glittering prize of modern and contemporary philosophy: the mind-body problem. The brain is physical. If the mind is physical, we cannot see how. If we cannot see how the mind is physical, we cannot see how it can interact with the body. And if the mind is not physical, it cannot interact with the body. Or so it seems. In this book the philosopher Jonathan Westphal examines the mind-body problem in detail, laying out the reasoning behind the solutions that have been offered in the past and presenting his own proposal. The sharp focus on the mind-body problem, a problem that is not about the self, or consciousness, or the soul, or anything other than the mind and the body, helps clarify both problem and solutions. Westphal outlines the history of the mind-body problem, beginning with Descartes. He describes mind-body dualism, which claims that the mind and the body are two different and separate things, nonphysical and physical, and he also examines physicalist theories of mind; antimaterialism, which proposes limits to physicalism and introduces the idea of qualia; and scientific theories of consciousness. Finally, Westphal examines the largely forgotten neutral monist theories of mind and body, held by Ernst Mach, William James, and Bertrand Russell, which attempt neither to extract mind from matter nor to dissolve matter into mind. Westphal proposes his own version of neutral monism. This version is unique among neutral monist theories in offering an account of mind-body interaction.
The Mind-Body Method: How Moving Your Body Can Stop You Losing Your Mind
by Anders HansenINTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Over 1 million copies sold! • &“An essential how-to book to reduce stress, calm anxiety, and keep your brain active.&” —Nir Eyal, author of IndistractableDo you want to reduce your stress levels, boost your memory, mood, and focus, and be more creative? Then it&’s time to get moving!In this groundbreaking international bestseller, The Mind-Body Method, acclaimed psychiatrist and mental health guru Dr. Anders Hansen reveals a simple yet effective method for transforming your life: exercise. Dr. Hansen explains the evolutionary reason that exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, boost memory and focus, raise IQ, and even slow down the aging process.Drawing on his vast expertise, Dr. Hansen provides practical and concrete advice on how we can all harness the benefits of daily movement. From understanding why our brains are wired to move to motivating ourselves to achieve our health and fitness goals, The Mind-Body Method offers a life-altering approach to physical and mental well-being. Dr. Hansen is a renowned psychiatrist, well-being guru, and award-winning author whose expertise in the field has earned him international recognition as a two-time winner of the book of the year Big Health Award and Sweden&’s Mensa Prize 2018.Backed by extensive research, data, and studies spanning decades and countries, Dr. Hansen&’s insights are not only scientifically proven, but also enriched and explored through his TV series delving into the intricacies of the human brain, making him a trusted authority in the field of mental health, fitness, and overall well-being.If you&’re ready to transform your mental and physical health and unlock your full potential, The Mind-Body Method is the essential guide you need. Find out the optimal types of exercise and the duration needed to improve your attention span, memory, and overall mood.With over 1 million copies sold, this book has already been translated in 25 languages, transforming the lives of countless readers across cultures and languages.
The Mind-Body Problem (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge Series)
by Jonathan WestphalAn introduction to the mind–body problem, covering all the proposed solutions and offering a powerful new one. Philosophers from Descartes to Kripke have struggled with the glittering prize of modern and contemporary philosophy: the mind-body problem. The brain is physical. If the mind is physical, we cannot see how. If we cannot see how the mind is physical, we cannot see how it can interact with the body. And if the mind is not physical, it cannot interact with the body. Or so it seems.In this book the philosopher Jonathan Westphal examines the mind-body problem in detail, laying out the reasoning behind the solutions that have been offered in the past and presenting his own proposal. The sharp focus on the mind-body problem, a problem that is not about the self, or consciousness, or the soul, or anything other than the mind and the body, helps clarify both problem and solutions. Westphal outlines the history of the mind-body problem, beginning with Descartes. He describes mind-body dualism, which claims that the mind and the body are two different and separate things, nonphysical and physical, and he also examines physicalist theories of mind; antimaterialism, which proposes limits to physicalism and introduces the idea of qualia; and scientific theories of consciousness. Finally, Westphal examines the largely forgotten neutral monist theories of mind and body, held by Ernst Mach, William James, and Bertrand Russell, which attempt neither to extract mind from matter nor to dissolve matter into mind. Westphal proposes his own version of neutral monism. This version is unique among neutral monist theories in offering an account of mind-body interaction.
The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health
by Emeran MayerCutting-edge neuroscience combines with the latest discoveries on the human microbiome to inform this practical guide that proves once and for all the inextricable, biological link between mind and body.We have all experienced the connection between our mind and our gut—the decision we made because it “felt right;” the butterflies in our stomach before a big meeting; the anxious stomach rumbling when we’re stressed out. While the dialogue between the gut and the brain has been recognized by ancient healing traditions, including Aryuvedic and Chinese medicine, Western medicine has failed to appreciate the complexity of how the brain, gut, and more recently, the microbiome—the microorganisms that live inside us—communicate with one another. In The Mind-Gut Connection, Dr. Emeran Mayer, Executive Director of the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress, offers a revolutionary look at this developing science, teaching us how to harness the power of the mind-gut connection to take charge of our health.The Mind-Gut Connection, shows how to keep the communication brain-gut communication clear and balanced to:• Heal the gut by focusing on a plant-based diet• Balance the microbiome by consuming fermented foods and probiotics, fasting, and cutting out sugar and processed foods• Promote weight loss by detoxifying and creating a healthy digestion and maximum nutrient absorption• Boost immunity and prevent the onset of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s• Generate a happier mindset and reduce fatigue, moodiness, anxiety, and depression• Prevent and heal GI disorders such as leaky gut syndrome; food sensitivities and allergies; and IBS; as well as digestive discomfort such as heartburn and bloating• And much more.Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
The Mind-Gut-Immune Connection: Understanding How Food Impacts Our Mind, Our Microbiome, and Our Immunity
by Emeran MayerCutting-edge neuroscience combines with the latest discoveries on the human microbiome to inform this practical guide that proves once and for all the inextricable, biological link between mind and body.We have all experienced the connection between our mind and our gut—the decision we made because it “felt right;” the butterflies in our stomach before a big meeting; the anxious stomach rumbling when we’re stressed out. While the dialogue between the gut and the brain has been recognized by ancient healing traditions, including Aryuvedic and Chinese medicine, Western medicine has failed to appreciate the complexity of how the brain, gut, and more recently, the microbiome—the microorganisms that live inside us—communicate with one another. In The Mind-Gut Connection, Dr. Emeran Mayer, Executive Director of the UCLA Center for Neurobiology of Stress, offers a revolutionary look at this developing science, teaching us how to harness the power of the mind-gut connection to take charge of our health.The Mind-Gut Connection, shows how to keep the communication brain-gut communication clear and balanced to:• Heal the gut by focusing on a plant-based diet• Balance the microbiome by consuming fermented foods and probiotics, fasting, and cutting out sugar and processed foods• Promote weight loss by detoxifying and creating a healthy digestion and maximum nutrient absorption• Boost immunity and prevent the onset of neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s• Generate a happier mindset and reduce fatigue, moodiness, anxiety, and depression• Prevent and heal GI disorders such as leaky gut syndrome; food sensitivities and allergies; and IBS; as well as digestive discomfort such as heartburn and bloating• And much more.Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.
The Mind-Swap Menace
by Steve Cole Woody FoxSmashing space stations! While on another vital mission, Captain Teggs and his crew nearly crash into an unknown spaceship. But when it spins around, the gaping hole and the mark of the meat-eaters reveal that it's a carnivore space station! What's it doing in the middle of the Vegetarian Sector? Teggs and his chief engineer, Iggy, board the space station to check it out. They soon discover that the only remaining dinosaurs in the ship are also two of the most evil criminals in the universe, and one of them is a genius. He's built a machine that can swap minds, and he's going to use it on Teggs and Iggy so he and his partner can fulfill their dreams of riches! It's up to Teggs and his crew to stop them, but how can they when no one knows who is who?
The Mind-Swap Menace
by Steve Cole Woody FoxSmashing space stations! While on another vital mission, Captain Teggs and his crew nearly crash into an unknown spaceship. But when it spins around, the gaping hole and the mark of the meat-eaters reveal that it's a carnivore space station! What's it doing in the middle of the Vegetarian Sector? Teggs and his chief engineer, Iggy, board the space station to check it out. They soon discover that the only remaining dinosaurs in the ship are also two of the most evil criminals in the universe, and one of them is a genius. He's built a machine that can swap minds, and he's going to use it on Teggs and Iggy so he and his partner can fulfill their dreams of riches! It's up to Teggs and his crew to stop them, but how can they when no one knows who is who?
The Mind: Consciousness, Prediction, and the Brain
by E. Bruce GoldsteinAn accessible and engaging account of the mind and its connection to the brain.The mind encompasses everything we experience, and these experiences are created by the brain--often without our awareness. Experience is private; we can't know the minds of others. But we also don't know what is happening in our own minds. In this book, E. Bruce Goldstein offers an accessible and engaging account of the mind and its connection to the brain. He takes as his starting point two central questions--what is the mind? and what is consciousness?--and leads readers through topics that range from conceptions of the mind in popular culture to the wiring system of the brain. Throughout, he draws on the latest research, explaining its significance and relevance.
The Mind: Science Tool Kit for the Mind
by John BrockmanWho am "I"? How is happiness achieved? What is the key to memory? How do babies become adults? Is personality determined? What function do emotions serve? Are we hardwired to be moral? The mind is a riddle that has vexed philosophers, psychologists, biologists, and artists for thousands of years. In this invaluable volume, John Brockman, editor and publisher of Edge, gathers the world's most influential scientists and thinkers to present their deepest thoughts and cutting-edge theories in short, accessible essays about the essential aspects of human consciousness and the complex workings of the brain. Contributors and topics include Steven Pinker on how the human brain works Martin Seligman on happiness and what it means to live a good life Philip Zimbardo on the impact of environment on personality V. S. Ramachandran on the question of self-who "you" are Simon Baron-Cohen on the innate differences between boys and girls George Lakoff on the role of the body and brain on different types of reasoning Alison Gopnik on why human children are the best learning machines in the universe Jonathan Haidt on the connection between emotions, morality, and religious belief
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)
by Daniel J. SiegelA new framework for maintaining mental health and well-being. From the author of the internationally-acclaimed best-selling text The Developing Mind, and esteemed leader and educator in the field of mental health, comes the first book ever to integrate neuroscience research with the ancient art of mindfulness. The result is a groundbreaking approach to not simply mental health, but life in general, which shows readers how personal awareness and attunement can actually stimulate emotional circuits in the brain, leading to a host of physiological benefits, including greater well-being, resilience, emotional balance, and improved cardiac and immune function. For clinicians and laypeople alike, Siegel's illuminating discussions of the power of the focused mind provide a wealth of ideas that can transform our lives and deepen our connections with others, and with ourselves.
The Minecrafter's Cookbook: More Than 40 Game-Themed Dinners, Desserts, Snacks, and Drinks to Craft Together
by Tara TheoharisThe Minecrafter's Cookbook brings the Overworld to life with over 40 fantastic, Minecraft-themed recipes that kids and parents can make together. From main courses that will fill your hunger bar; to enchanted snacks that Alex and Steve couldn’t survive without; to party-friendly, game-themed desserts and potion drinks, there is plenty in this book to enchant young gamers and their families. Kids will love the accompanying illustrations of their favorite characters and scenes, while parents will appreciate the simple, step-by-step directions to guide them as they craft. The Minecrafter's Cookbook makes cooking an irresistible adventure: Includes photos of each finished item, plus colorful illustrations of popular Minecrafting scenes and characters for maximum fun. Features over 40 kid-friendly meals, drinks, and desserts including Beetroot Stew, Golden Apples, Grass Block Brownies, and Creeper Crispies! Encourages young gamers to power down and enjoy family time in the kitchen The delicious recipes in this book are sure to make spending time together a whole lot more fun!
The Miner's Canary: Unraveling the Mysteries of Extinction (Princeton Science Library #13)
by Niles EldredgeLike the bird whose death signaled dangerous conditions in a mine, the demise of animals that once flourished should give humans pause. How is our fate linked to the earth's creatures, and the cycle of flourishing and extinction? Which are the simple workings of nature's order, and which are omens of ecological disaster? Does human activity accelerate extinction? What really causes it? In an illuminating and elegantly written account of the widespread reduction of the world's wildlife, renowned paleontologist Niles Eldredge poses these questions and examines humankind's role in the larger life cycles of the earth, composing a provocative general theory of extinction.
The Miners' Strike: Miners' Strike (Images of the Past)
by Mark Harvey Mark Metcalf Martin JenkinsonIn addition to being the most bitter industrial dispute the coalminers' strike of 1984/5 was the longest national strike in British history. For a year over 100,000 members of the National Union of Mineworkers, their families and supporters, in hundreds of communities, battled to prevent the decimation of the coal industry on which their livelihoods and communities depended. Margaret Thatcher's government aimed to smash the most militant section of the British working class. She wanted to usher in a new era of greater management control at work and pave the way for a radical refashioning of society in favour of neo-liberal objectives that three decades later have crippled the world economy.Victory required draconian restrictions on picketing and the development of a militarised national police force that made widespread arrests as part of its criminalisation policy. The attacks on the miners also involved the use of the courts and anti-trade union laws, restrictions on welfare benefits, the secret financing by industrialists of working miners and the involvement of the security services. All of which was supported by a compliant mass media but resisted by the collective courage of miners and mining communities in which the role of Women against Pit Closures in combating poverty and starvation was heroic. Thus inspired by the struggle for jobs and communities an unparalleled movement of support groups right across Britain and in other parts of the world was born and helped bring about a situation where the miners long struggle came close on occasions to winning.At the heart of the conflict was the Yorkshire region, where even at the end in March 1985, 83 per cent of 56,000 miners were still out on strike. The official Yorkshire National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) area photographer in 1984-85 was the late Martin Jenkinson and this book of his photographs some never previously seen before - serves as a unique social document on the dispute that changed the face of Britain.As featured in The Yorkshire Times, Sheffield Telegraph and NUJ News Leeds.
The Minimal Cell
by Pier Luigi Luisi Pasquale StanoIn the last ten years there has been a considerable increase of interest on the notion of the minimal cell. With this term we usually mean a cell-like structure containing the minimal and sufficient number of components to be defined as alive, or at least capable of displaying some of the fundamental functions of a living cell. In fact, when we look at extant living cells we realize that thousands of molecules are organized spatially and functionally in order to realize what we call cellular life. This fact elicits the question whether such huge complexity is a necessary condition for life, or a simpler molecular system can also be defined as alive. Obviously, the concept of minimal cell encompasses entire families of cells, from totally synthetic cells, to semi-synthetic ones, to primitive cell models, to simple biomimetic cellular systems. Typically, in the experimental approach to the construction of minimal the main ingredient is the compartment. Lipid vesicles (liposomes) are used to host simple and complex molecular transformations, from single or multiple enzymic reactions, to polymerase chain reactions, to gene expression. Today this research is seen as part of the broader scenario of synthetic biology but it is rooted in origins of life studies, because the construction of a minimal cell might provide biophysical insights into the origins of primitive cells, and the emergence of life on earth. The volume provides an overview of physical, biochemical and functional studies on minimal cells, with emphasis to experimental approaches. 15 International experts report on their innovative contributions to the construction of minimal cells.
The Minimalist Program
by Fahad Rashed Al-MutairiThe development of the Minimalist Program (MP), Noam Chomsky's most recent generative model of linguistics, has been highly influential over the last twenty years. It has had significant implications not only for the conduct of linguistic analysis itself, but also for our understanding of the status of linguistics as a science. The reflections and analyses in this book contain insights into the strengths and the weaknesses of the MP. Among these are, a clarification of the content of the Strong Minimalist Thesis (SMT); a synthesis of Chomsky's linguistic and interdisciplinary discourses; and an analysis of the notion of optimal computation from conceptual, empirical and philosophical perspectives. This book will encourage graduate students and researchers in linguistics to reflect on the foundations of their discipline, and the interdisciplinary nature of the topics explored will appeal to those studying biolinguistics, neurolinguistics, the philosophy of language and other related disciplines.
The Mining Law: A Study in Perpetual Motion (Routledge Revivals)
by John D. LeshyOriginally published in 1987, John D. Leshy presents this scholarly study of the 1872 Mining Law as a legal treatise and history of mining in the West from the point of view of mineral exploration and production. This mining law governed the United States mining practice yet had never been changed. The Mining Law attempts to highlight the role of policy and government as well as the more obscure elements of the law which complicated mining practice in the eighties. This title will be of interest to students of Environmental Studies and policy makers.
The Minipig in Biomedical Research
by Kenneth L. Hastings Anthony D. Dayan Peter A. McAnulty Niels-Christian GanderupThe Minipig in Biomedical Research is a comprehensive resource for research scientists on the potential and use of the minipig in basic and applied biomedical research, and the development of drugs and chemicals. Written by acknowledged experts in the field, and drawing on the authors' global contacts and experience with regulatory authorities and
The Miracle Myth: Why Belief in the Resurrection and the Supernatural Is Unjustified
by Larry ShapiroThere are many who believe Moses parted the Red Sea and Jesus came back from the dead. Others are certain that exorcisms occur, ghosts haunt attics, and the blessed can cure the terminally ill. Though extraordinarily improbable, people have embraced miracles and myths for millennia, seeing in them proof of the extraordinary potential of our world-and ourselves.Helping us think more critically about our belief in the improbable, The Miracle Myth breaks down our mythmaking strategies to better understand how attempts to justify belief in the supernatural fall short. Through arguments and accessible analysis, Larry Shapiro sharpens our critical faculties so we become less susceptible to tales of myths and miracles and learn how, ultimately, our belief in them is counterproductive. Shapiro acknowledges that myths have value. They may even provide insight into our place in nature. Even so, if our understanding of reality is formed through the fallacy of myth, our ties to the world fray. Shapiro's investigation reminds us of the importance of evidence and rational thinking as we explore the unknown.
The Miracle Myth: Why Belief in the Resurrection and the Supernatural Is Unjustified
by Lawrence ShapiroThere are many who believe Moses parted the Red Sea and Jesus came back from the dead. Others are certain that exorcisms occur, ghosts haunt attics, and the blessed can cure the terminally ill. Though miracles are immensely improbable, people have embraced them for millennia, seeing in them proof of a supernatural world that resists scientific explanation.Helping us to think more critically about our belief in the improbable, The Miracle Myth casts a skeptical eye on attempts to justify belief in the supernatural, laying bare the fallacies that such attempts commit. Through arguments and accessible analysis, Larry Shapiro sharpens our critical faculties so we become less susceptible to tales of myths and miracles and learn how, ultimately, to evaluate claims regarding vastly improbable events on our own. Shapiro acknowledges that belief in miracles could be harmless, but cautions against allowing such beliefs to guide how we live our lives. His investigation reminds us of the importance of evidence and rational thinking as we explore the unknown.
The Miracles of Exodus: A Scientist's Discovery of the Extraordinary Natural Causes of the Biblical Stories
by Colin J. HumphreysThe Real Story of the ExodusColin Humphreys, a world-renowned Cambridge University scientist, reveals for the first time the concrete, scientific truth behind the Exodus miracles.The Burning Bush: Caused by a volcanic vent that opened up under the bush.Crossing the Red Sea: The water was pushed back by a very strong wind blowing all night. This is a known physical phenomenon called wind setdown. The details given in the Bible mean we can pinpoint where the Red Sea crossing occurred.Drowning Pharaoh's Army: When the very strong wind suddenly stopped blowing, the water rushed back in the form of a rapidly returning "bore" wave, sweeping Pharaoh's army into the sea.Mount Sinai: The real Mount Sinai is in present-day Saudi Arabia, not the Sinai Desert as is generally assumed.
The Miraculous from the Material: Understanding the Wonders of Nature
by Alan LightmanA gorgeously illustrated exploration of the science behind the universe&’s most stunning natural phenomena—from atoms and parameciums to rainbows, snowflakes, spider webs, the rings of Saturn, galaxies, and moreNature is capable of extraordinary phenomena. Standing in awe of those phenomena, we experience a feeling of connection to the cosmos. For acclaimed physicist and novelist Alan Lightman, just as remarkable is that all of what we see around us—soap bubbles, scarlet ibises, shooting stars—are made out of the same material stuff and obey the same rules and laws. This is what Lightman calls &“spiritual materialism,&” the belief that we can embrace spiritual experiences without letting go of our scientific worldview.Pairing 36 beautiful, full-color photos evoking some of nature&’s most awe-inspiring phenomena with accessible and lyrical personal essays, The Miraculous from the Material explores the fascinating science underlying the natural world. Why do rainbows make an arc? Why does a particular waterfall at Yosemite National Park sometimes glow like it&’s on fire? How does a hummingbird fly? The world has so many things to marvel at—and the science is just as fascinating.Lightman&’s imagination travels from the world of atoms and molecules to the animal kingdom, from places like Ha Long Bay, Vietnam and the Grand Canyon out to the solar system and beyond, illuminating the majesty of the cosmos and the remarkable science behind it. The Miraculous from the Material is a stunning, soaring ode to the beauty and wonder around us, and the perfect holiday gift for photography aficionados, life-long learners, and admirers of the natural world.
The Mirage of a Space Between Nature and Nurture
by Evelyn Fox KellerIn this powerful critique, the esteemed historian and philosopher of science Evelyn Fox Keller addresses the nature-nurture debates, including the persistent disputes regarding the roles played by genes and the environment in determining individual traits and behavior. Keller is interested in both how an oppositional "versus" came to be inserted between nature and nurture, and how the distinction on which that opposition depends, the idea that nature and nurture are separable, came to be taken for granted. How, she asks, did the illusion of a space between nature and nurture become entrenched in our thinking, and why is it so tenacious? Keller reveals that the assumption that the influences of nature and nurture can be separated is neither timeless nor universal, but rather a notion that emerged in Anglo-American culture in the late nineteenth century. She shows that the seemingly clear-cut nature-nurture debate is riddled with incoherence. It encompasses many disparate questions knitted together into an indissoluble tangle, and it is marked by a chronic ambiguity in language. There is little consensus about the meanings of terms such as nature, nurture, gene, and environment. Keller suggests that contemporary genetics can provide a more appropriate, precise, and useful vocabulary, one that might help put an end to the confusion surrounding the nature-nurture controversy.
The Mirror and the Mind: A History of Self-Recognition in the Human Sciences (Princeton Modern Knowledge #7)
by Professor Katja GuentherHow the classic mirror test served as a portal for scientists to explore questions of self-awarenessSince the late eighteenth century, scientists have placed subjects—humans, infants, animals, and robots—in front of mirrors in order to look for signs of self-recognition. Mirrors served as the possible means for answering the question: What makes us human? In The Mirror and the Mind, Katja Guenther traces the history of the mirror self-recognition test, exploring how researchers from a range of disciplines—psychoanalysis, psychiatry, developmental and animal psychology, cybernetics, anthropology, and neuroscience—came to read the peculiar behaviors elicited by mirrors. Investigating the ways mirrors could lead to both identification and misidentification, Guenther looks at how such experiments ultimately failed to determine human specificity.The mirror test was thrust into the limelight when Charles Darwin challenged the idea that language sets humans apart. Thereafter the mirror, previously a recurrent if marginal scientific tool, became dominant in attempts to demarcate humans from other animals. But because researchers could not rely on language to determine what their nonspeaking subjects were experiencing, they had to come up with significant innovations, including notation strategies, testing protocols, and the linking of scientific theories across disciplines. From the robotic tortoises of Grey Walter and the mark test of Beulah Amsterdam and Gordon Gallup, to anorexia research and mirror neurons, the mirror test offers a window into the emergence of such fields as biology, psychology, psychiatry, animal studies, cognitive science, and neuroscience.The Mirror and the Mind offers an intriguing history of experiments in self-awareness and the advancements of the human sciences across more than a century.
The Misinformation Age: How False Beliefs Spread
by James Owen Weatherall Cailin O'Connor“Empowering and thoroughly researched, this book offers useful contemporary analysis and possible solutions to one of the greatest threats to democracy.” —Kirkus ReviewsEditors’ choice, The New York Times Book ReviewRecommended reading, Scientific AmericanWhy should we care about having true beliefs? And why do demonstrably false beliefs persist and spread despite bad, even fatal, consequences for the people who hold them?Philosophers of science Cailin O’Connor and James Weatherall argue that social factors, rather than individual psychology, are what’s essential to understanding the spread and persistence of false beliefs. It might seem that there’s an obvious reason that true beliefs matter: false beliefs will hurt you. But if that’s right, then why is it (apparently) irrelevant to many people whether they believe true things or not?The Misinformation Age, written for a political era riven by “fake news,” “alternative facts,” and disputes over the validity of everything from climate change to the size of inauguration crowds, shows convincingly that what you believe depends on who you know. If social forces explain the persistence of false belief, we must understand how those forces work in order to fight misinformation effectively.“[The authors] deftly apply sociological models to examine how misinformation spreads among people and how scientific results get misrepresented in the public sphere.” —Andrea Gawrylewski, Scientific American“A notable new volume . . . The Misinformation Age explains systematically how facts are determined and changed—whether it is concerning the effects of vaccination on children or the Russian attack on the integrity of the electoral process.” —Roger I. Abrams, New York Journal of Books