About Rationally Speaking


Rationally Speaking is a blog maintained by Prof. Massimo Pigliucci, a philosopher at the City University of New York. The blog reflects the Enlightenment figure Marquis de Condorcet's idea of what a public intellectual (yes, we know, that's such a bad word) ought to be: someone who devotes himself to "the tracking down of prejudices in the hiding places where priests, the schools, the government, and all long-established institutions had gathered and protected them." You're welcome. Please notice that the contents of this blog can be reprinted under the standard Creative Commons license.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Rationally Speaking podcast: Kendrick Frazier On Skeptical Inquiry

On this episode of Rationally Speaking, Massimo and Julia survey the present, past, and future of skepticism. Special guest Kendrick Frazier, editor of Skeptical Inquirer, talks about how the movement's focus has changed and what the frontiers of skepticism should be.

Kendrick Crosby Frazier is a science writer and editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine  for over 30 years. He is also a former editor of Science News, author or editor of ten books, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Ken's pick: "Brainwashed: The Seductive Appeal of Mindless Neuroscience."
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3 comments:

  1. Philip ThriftSeptember 19, 2013 6:04 PM

    It was great that you brought up the elephant in the room: economics as a field to be examined by skeptical inquiry.

    (Particularly relevant with econo-libertarianism being promoted today by the Republican Party, what Paul Krugman labels a 'cult'.)

    ReplyDelete
  2. niwiyiSeptember 20, 2013 11:05 AM

    Massimo,

    I am a committed leftist who knows plenty about climate science (with a PhD even!) who is skeptical of existing predictions of the magnitude and consequences of anthropogenic global warming. Is this one counter-example sufficient to undermine your claim that climate skeptics are driven by ideology? Maybe not. But I take exception to suggestions that my motivation may be in any way similar to libertarian wackos in the U.S. I just think I am uber skeptical...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 20, 2013 4:11 PM

      No, your case doesn't refute the fact that there is a tendency for libertarians to reject ACG. That doesn't mean there aren't other motivations for other people, ideological or not.

      Delete

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