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| '''''The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science''''' is a 2005 book by journalist ], in which the author |
'''''The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science''''' is a 2005 book by conservative journalist ], in which the author makes questionable and highly politicized claims <ref name="pubweekly">{{Cite news |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-89526-031-4 |title=The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science |work=] |access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref> on subjects such as ], ], and the relationship between science and ]. It was published by ]. | ||
| The book received positive reviews from conservatives and was widely criticized by scientists and book reviewers, with '']'' summarizing it thus: "In the end, this book is unlikely to sway readers who aren't already in Bethell's ideological camp, as any points worthy of discussion get lost in the glut of unsourced claims".<ref name="pubweekly" /> | |||
| The book received both positive and negative reviews. Some commentators praised Bethell for providing useful discussions of various issues, while others criticized him for misrepresenting science for political purposes. | |||
| The '']'' described Bethell as "an ultra-conservative, right-wing religious zealot who has been trying to convince anyone who has been foolish enough to listen for the last 30 years that nothing of science should be believed".{{sfn|Strange|2007}} | |||
| ==Summary== | |||
| {{uncited section|date=January 2018}} | |||
| Bethell, a senior editor at '']'', and a former editor of the '']'' discusses what conservatives have seen as the ]. He addresses a number of issues, including ], ], ] and control of ], HIV/AIDS denialism, ], ], intelligent design, the ] and the relationship between science and Christianity. On all these topics, Bethell argues that ] has distorted scientific facts in order to advance its political agenda and to increase the size of ], often through scare campaigns like the risk of ]. He also states that the Left have tried to ] those scientists who disagree with their viewpoints, regardless of what the best scientific evidence might say. | |||
| ==Publication history== | |||
| ''The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science'' was first published in 2005 by ].{{sfn|Bethell|2005}} | |||
| ==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
| The book received positive reviews from ] in ''] |
The book received positive reviews from ] in '']'',{{sfn|Rusher|2007}} a mixed review from Carl Grant in '']'',{{sfn|Grant|2006|pages=47–48}} and negative reviews from the journalist ] in '']'' and Lisa Simpson Strange in the '']''.{{sfn|Mooney|2005}}{{sfn|Strange|2007}} | ||
| Rusher credited Bethell with showing that the misuse of science to reinforce political viewpoints is a major political problem and with exposing "liberal myths" such as global warming and evolution |
Rusher credited Bethell with showing that the misuse of science to reinforce political viewpoints is a major political problem and with exposing "liberal myths" such as global warming and evolution (both of which are robustly supported by the ]), as well as beliefs about the dangers of nuclear power and DDT.{{sfn|Rusher|2007}} | ||
| Grant credited Bethell with making important criticisms of the way in which science is done. He agreed with Bethell that scientists often have biases and conflicts of interest, and also expressed agreement with many of Bethell's views on the relationship of religion and science, writing that the evidence for naturalistic evolution was "underwhelming" and that, "Much evolutionary theory is only a series of ''ad hoc'' explanations to cover the poor fit between Darwin’s theory and actual fact." However, he criticized Bethell for his dismissal of ], for sometimes failing to "provide reference where the context requires them", such as in his discussions of the AIDS epidemic and the Catholic Church's treatment of ], and for sometimes overstating his case, or alternately conceding too much to his opponents. Overall, he concluded that the book was "moderately useful".{{sfn|Grant|2006|pages=47–48}} | Grant credited Bethell with making important criticisms of the way in which science is done. He agreed with Bethell that scientists often have biases and conflicts of interest, and also expressed agreement with many of Bethell's views on the relationship of religion and science, writing that the evidence for naturalistic evolution was "underwhelming" and that, "Much evolutionary theory is only a series of ''ad hoc'' explanations to cover the poor fit between Darwin’s theory and actual fact." However, he criticized Bethell for his dismissal of ], for sometimes failing to "provide reference where the context requires them", such as in his discussions of the AIDS epidemic and the Catholic Church's treatment of ], and for sometimes overstating his case, or alternately conceding too much to his opponents. Overall, he concluded that the book was "moderately useful".{{sfn|Grant|2006|pages=47–48}} | ||
| Mooney argued that Bethell "misrepresents the state of scientific knowledge on issues ranging from global warming to the vulnerability of endangered species to evolution". |
Mooney argued that Bethell "misrepresents the state of scientific knowledge on issues ranging from global warming to the vulnerability of endangered species to evolution". He observed that Bethell's book was "getting plenty of attention" and selling well, that ] had sponsored an event to promote it, and that it was "likely to be read by a lot of people". He considered its publication "a highly significant development", since it took the "war on scientific knowledge from the political right" in the United States "to a new level of intensity" and exposed the "anti-science sentiments" of many conservative Republicans. He wrote that Bethell "provides a useful service" by presenting "discredited arguments" often used to undermine well-established scientific conclusions. He accused Bethell of "compiling scientific-sounding arguments to bolster a political conclusion", misrepresenting some sources, presenting problematic "general science policy arguments", misguidedly encouraging journalists to criticize science, wrongly dismissing scientific consensus, and "whipping up resentment of the scientific community among rank-and-file political conservatives." He found the book "a very saddening and depressing read."{{sfn|Mooney|2005}} | ||
| Strange described the book as a "tome of utter disinformation" and Bethell as "an ultra-conservative, right-wing religious zealot" who "takes the research actual scientists have worked on for years and either twists the findings to fit his own narrow-minded agenda" or "simply announces to the world that the efforts of dedicated, trained men and women in the fields of medicine, chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, etc." are nothing but "junk science." She also charged Bethell with producing "reams of type about subjects of which he has no clear understanding" and of making "no effort to educate himself on matters pertaining to actual scientific method and study." She also characterized Bethell's work as "junk".{{sfn|Strange|2007}} | Strange described the book as a "tome of utter disinformation" and Bethell as "an ultra-conservative, right-wing religious zealot" who "takes the research actual scientists have worked on for years and either twists the findings to fit his own narrow-minded agenda" or "simply announces to the world that the efforts of dedicated, trained men and women in the fields of medicine, chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, etc." are nothing but "junk science." She also charged Bethell with producing "reams of type about subjects of which he has no clear understanding" and of making "no effort to educate himself on matters pertaining to actual scientific method and study." She also characterized Bethell's work as "junk".{{sfn|Strange|2007}} | ||
| Neumayr credited Bethell with exposing global warming as propaganda.{{sfn|Neumayr|2006}} Ryskind welcomed Bethell's discussion of Darwinian theory, and maintained that Bethell had good credentials to discuss science.{{sfn|Ryskind|2006|page=7}} ''Nuclear News'' focused on Bethell's discussion of nuclear power.{{sfn|''Nuclear News''|2006|page=8}} In LewRockwell.com, Bethell was interviewed by Ryan Setliff, who prefaced his interview by noting that Bethell had impressive credentials, noting that he was a senior editor with ''The American Spectator'', was "an Oxford graduate with degrees in philosophy, physiology, and psychology", and had also "contributed to magazines and writes often on the discipline of science."{{sfn|Setliff|2006}} | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 47: | Line 40: | ||
| ;Books | ;Books | ||
| {{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
| * {{cite book |last1=Bethell|first1=Tom |title=The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science |publisher=] |location=Washington, D.C. |year=2005 |isbn=978-0895260314 |oclc= |doi= |ref=harv}} | * {{cite book |last1=Bethell |first1=Tom |title=The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science |publisher=] |location=Washington, D.C. |year=2005 |isbn=978-0895260314 |oclc= |doi= |ref=harv |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/politicallyincor00beth_0 }} | ||
| {{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
| Line 54: | Line 47: | ||
| * {{cite journal |title=Politically Incorrect Science |last1=Bethell|first1=Tom |journal=] |volume=38 |issue=9 |year=2005 |doi= |ref=harv}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | * {{cite journal |title=Politically Incorrect Science |last1=Bethell|first1=Tom |journal=] |volume=38 |issue=9 |year=2005 |doi= |ref=harv}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | ||
| * {{cite journal |title=The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science |last1=Grant|first1=Carl |journal=] |volume=73 |issue=6 |year=2006 |doi= |ref=harv}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | * {{cite journal |title=The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science |last1=Grant|first1=Carl |journal=] |volume=73 |issue=6 |year=2006 |doi= |ref=harv}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | ||
| * {{cite journal |title=Darwinist Ideologues Are on the Run |last1=Ryskind|first1=Allan H. |journal=] |volume=62 |issue=4 |year=2006 |doi= |ref=harv}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | |||
| * {{cite journal |title=Book reviews. The politically incorrect guide to science |last1=West|first1=TB |journal=Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons |volume=12 |issue=3 |year=2007 |doi= |ref=harv}} | |||
| * {{cite journal |title=Science Journalist Busts Liberal Media Myths |journal=] |volume=61 |issue=40 |year=2005 |doi= |ref={{harvid|Human Events|2005}}}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | |||
| * {{cite journal |title=Publications |journal=Nuclear News |volume=49 |issue=2 |year=2006 |doi= |ref={{harvid|Nuclear News|2006}}}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | * {{cite journal |title=Publications |journal=Nuclear News |volume=49 |issue=2 |year=2006 |doi= |ref={{harvid|Nuclear News|2006}}}} {{subscription needed|via='s Academic Search Complete}} | ||
| {{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
| Line 62: | Line 52: | ||
| ;Online articles | ;Online articles | ||
| {{refbegin}} | {{refbegin}} | ||
| * {{cite web |last1=Bethell|first1=Tom |url = http://www.nationalreview.com/article/216131/dont-fear-designer-tom-bethell | title = Don’t Fear The Designer |date=December 1, 2005 |work=] |accessdate = 16 January 2018 |ref=harv}} | |||
| * {{cite web |last1=Mooney|first1=Chris |url = https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/upping_the_anti | title = Upping the Anti |date=December 8, 2005 |work=] |accessdate = 18 March 2008 |ref=harv}} | * {{cite web |last1=Mooney|first1=Chris |url = https://www.csicop.org/specialarticles/show/upping_the_anti | title = Upping the Anti |date=December 8, 2005 |work=] |accessdate = 18 March 2008 |ref=harv}} | ||
| * {{cite web |last1= |
* {{cite web |last1=Rusher |first1=William |url=http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1987843543 |title=Rusher: The problem of junk science |date=May 18, 2007 |work=] |accessdate=13 May 2008 |ref=harv |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722193635/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1987843543 |archivedate=22 July 2011 }} | ||
| * {{cite web |last1=Rusher |first1=William |url=http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1987843543 |title=Rusher: The problem of junk science |date=May 18, 2007 |work=] |accessdate=13 May 2008 |ref=harv |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722193635/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/x1987843543 |archivedate=22 July 2011 |df= }} | |||
| * {{cite web |last1=Setliff|first1=Ryan |url = http://archive.lewrockwell.com/orig6/setliff2.html | title = Government vs. Science |date=January 20, 2006 |work=] |accessdate = 13 May 2008 |ref=harv}} | |||
| * {{cite web |last1=Strange|first1=Lisa Simpson |url = http://www.glasgowdailytimes.com/opinion/more-research-less-junk-writing/article_c4906815-2a83-569f-b8e5-e331e6c3ab6e.html | title = More research, less ‘junk’ writing |date=May 23, 2007 |work=] |accessdate = 13 May 2008 |ref=harv}} | * {{cite web |last1=Strange|first1=Lisa Simpson |url = http://www.glasgowdailytimes.com/opinion/more-research-less-junk-writing/article_c4906815-2a83-569f-b8e5-e331e6c3ab6e.html | title = More research, less ‘junk’ writing |date=May 23, 2007 |work=] |accessdate = 13 May 2008 |ref=harv}} | ||
| {{refend}} | {{refend}} | ||
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Politically Incorrect Guide to Science, The}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Politically Incorrect Guide to Science, The}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 22:05, 13 February 2020
 Cover | |
| Author | Tom Bethell |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | Politically Incorrect Guides |
| Subject | Politicization of science |
| Publisher | Regnery Publishing |
| Publication date | 2005 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 270 |
| ISBN | 978-0895260314 |
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science is a 2005 book by conservative journalist Tom Bethell, in which the author makes questionable and highly politicized claims on subjects such as HIV/AIDS, intelligent design, and the relationship between science and Christianity. It was published by Regnery Publishing.
The book received positive reviews from conservatives and was widely criticized by scientists and book reviewers, with Publishers Weekly summarizing it thus: "In the end, this book is unlikely to sway readers who aren't already in Bethell's ideological camp, as any points worthy of discussion get lost in the glut of unsourced claims".
The Glasgow Daily Times described Bethell as "an ultra-conservative, right-wing religious zealot who has been trying to convince anyone who has been foolish enough to listen for the last 30 years that nothing of science should be believed".
Reception
The book received positive reviews from William A. Rusher in The MetroWest Daily News, a mixed review from Carl Grant in New Oxford Review, and negative reviews from the journalist Chris Mooney in Skeptical Inquirer and Lisa Simpson Strange in the Glasgow Daily Times.
Rusher credited Bethell with showing that the misuse of science to reinforce political viewpoints is a major political problem and with exposing "liberal myths" such as global warming and evolution (both of which are robustly supported by the scientific consensus), as well as beliefs about the dangers of nuclear power and DDT.
Grant credited Bethell with making important criticisms of the way in which science is done. He agreed with Bethell that scientists often have biases and conflicts of interest, and also expressed agreement with many of Bethell's views on the relationship of religion and science, writing that the evidence for naturalistic evolution was "underwhelming" and that, "Much evolutionary theory is only a series of ad hoc explanations to cover the poor fit between Darwin’s theory and actual fact." However, he criticized Bethell for his dismissal of theistic evolution, for sometimes failing to "provide reference where the context requires them", such as in his discussions of the AIDS epidemic and the Catholic Church's treatment of Galileo Galilei, and for sometimes overstating his case, or alternately conceding too much to his opponents. Overall, he concluded that the book was "moderately useful".
Mooney argued that Bethell "misrepresents the state of scientific knowledge on issues ranging from global warming to the vulnerability of endangered species to evolution". He observed that Bethell's book was "getting plenty of attention" and selling well, that The Heritage Foundation had sponsored an event to promote it, and that it was "likely to be read by a lot of people". He considered its publication "a highly significant development", since it took the "war on scientific knowledge from the political right" in the United States "to a new level of intensity" and exposed the "anti-science sentiments" of many conservative Republicans. He wrote that Bethell "provides a useful service" by presenting "discredited arguments" often used to undermine well-established scientific conclusions. He accused Bethell of "compiling scientific-sounding arguments to bolster a political conclusion", misrepresenting some sources, presenting problematic "general science policy arguments", misguidedly encouraging journalists to criticize science, wrongly dismissing scientific consensus, and "whipping up resentment of the scientific community among rank-and-file political conservatives." He found the book "a very saddening and depressing read."
Strange described the book as a "tome of utter disinformation" and Bethell as "an ultra-conservative, right-wing religious zealot" who "takes the research actual scientists have worked on for years and either twists the findings to fit his own narrow-minded agenda" or "simply announces to the world that the efforts of dedicated, trained men and women in the fields of medicine, chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, etc." are nothing but "junk science." She also charged Bethell with producing "reams of type about subjects of which he has no clear understanding" and of making "no effort to educate himself on matters pertaining to actual scientific method and study." She also characterized Bethell's work as "junk".
References
- ^ "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
- ^ Strange 2007.
- ^ Rusher 2007.
- ^ Grant 2006, pp. 47–48.
- ^ Mooney 2005.
Bibliography
- Books
- Bethell, Tom (2005). The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science. Washington, D.C.: Regnery Publishing. ISBN 978-0895260314.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)
- Journals
- Bethell, Tom (2005). "Politically Incorrect Science". American Spectator. 38 (9).
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) – via EBSCO's Academic Search Complete (subscription required) - Grant, Carl (2006). "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science". New Oxford Review. 73 (6).
{{cite journal}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) – via EBSCO's Academic Search Complete (subscription required) - "Publications". Nuclear News. 49 (2). 2006. – via EBSCO's Academic Search Complete (subscription required)
- Online articles
- Mooney, Chris (December 8, 2005). "Upping the Anti". Skeptical Inquirer. Retrieved 18 March 2008.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - Rusher, William (May 18, 2007). "Rusher: The problem of junk science". The MetroWest Daily News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - Strange, Lisa Simpson (May 23, 2007). "More research, less 'junk' writing". Glasgow Daily Times. Retrieved 13 May 2008.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help)