Bøger udgivet af Prometheus Books

Employing intuitive ideas from mathematics, this quirky "e;meta-memoir"e; raises questions about our lives that most of us don't think to ask, but arguably should: What part of memory is reliable fact, what part creative embellishment? Which favorite presuppositions are unfounded, which statistically biased? By conjoining two opposing mindsets--the suspension of disbelief required in storytelling and the skepticism inherent in the scientific method--bestselling mathematician John Allen Paulos has created an unusual hybrid, a composite of personal memories and mathematical approaches to re-evaluating them.Entertaining vignettes from Paulos's biography abound--ranging from a bullying math teacher and a fabulous collection of baseball cards to romantic crushes, a grandmother's petty larceny, and his quite unintended role in getting George Bush elected president in 2000. These vignettes serve as springboards to many telling perspectives: simple arithmetic puts life-long habits in a dubious new light; higher dimensional geometry helps us see that we're all rather peculiar; nonlinear dynamics explains the narcissism of small differences cascading into very different siblings; logarithms and exponentials yield insight on why we tend to become bored and jaded as we age; and there are tricks and jokes, probability and coincidences, and much more.For fans of Paulos or newcomers to his work, this witty commentary on his life--and yours--is fascinating reading.

A comprehensive reference work on the history, beliefs, and thinking of America's growing minority: those who live without religion. It describes and explains various aspects of atheism, agnosticism, secular humanism, secularism, and religious scepticism. It includes topics such as morality without religion, unbelief and sexual values, and more.

A collection of essays, covering a range of fields, from Darwinism and the global population explosion to bird watching, which point out frontiers for scientific research and reaffirm the author's s belief in the intimate connection of the sciences, particularly biology, with the pressing social problems of the present and future.

A primer on neuroscience and philosophy of mind that takes the reader to the depths of the mystery of consciousness, exploring it through the eyes of key philosophers, neuroscientists, and technologists. This work also illuminates baffling questions of the brain, mind, and what it means to be human.

By imagining future worlds that defy our most basic assumptions about sex and gender, freedom and equality, and ethical values, this anthology not only challenges traditional standards of morality and justice, but create bold experiments for testing feminist hypotheses.

Explores the impact that unprecedented changes in the meatpacking industry - particularly industry consolidation, increased line speeds, and deregulation - have had on workers, animals, and consumers. This work describes the efforts by the Humane Farming Association to improve conditions in the meatpacking industry.

Examines critical-thinking skills that are useful in a complex society where success - in all facets of life - often requires the ability to evaluate the validity of many conflicting claims. This work illustrates these tendencies with numerous examples that demonstrate how easily we can be fooled into believing something that isn't true.

Over the years, a number of scientists have claimed that there is credible scientific evidence for the existence of God. Is this true? Are scientists close to solving the greatest of all mysteries? This book delves into this question from a sceptical point of view in the presentation of the key scientific facts.

Few Muslims realise that there are several Korans in circulation in the Islamic world, with textual variations whose significance, extent, and meaning have never been properly examined. This work contains articles that address the history, linguistics, and religious implications of these not-trifling variants in Islam's sacred book.

Presenting concepts of science, this title offers an analysis of the terminology of science - fact, law, proof, and theory - in relation to the colloquial meaning of these terms. It includes biographical vignettes of scientists showing their common commitment to the enterprise of science, together with backgrounds and personalities.

The ability to think clearly and the power to reason well set leaders apart from the crowd. This guide talks about the world of logical thinking and reasoning. It walks the reader through the modes of thinking, understanding, and reasoning. It also offers tips on how anyone can be empowered through continual self-monitoring and self-improvement.

Recounts the efforts of industrial societies to make food safer. This book describes the measures taken to protect the public from intentional and unintentional poisoning, and recounts poisoning incidents. It gives a glimpse into history and offers information suitable for laypersons as well as experts in food technology and public health.

Dr Henry C Lee is considered by many to be the greatest forensic scientist in the world. This work gives avid fans of true crime a glimpse into the real world of crime investigation; and recounts his investigation of the case, by focusing on the crucial issue of physical evidence.

Is there life after death or do we simply cease to exist? This work presents philosophical selections featuring the work of classical and contemporary authors who address the topics of immortality, soul and body, transmigration, materialism, epiphenomenalism, physical research and parapsychology, reincarnation, disembodied existence, and more.

Originally published in 1917, this work offers material on the subject of political philosophy and is useful for everyone interested in political science or the relation of the individual to society.

We're barraged with statistics every day about health risks, life expectancy, and the chances of success, but to most of us all these numbers and percentages mean very little. This book presents a tour of statistics and explains how statistics work.

In this overview of one of the most successful forms of psychotherapy - Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) - its creator and chief advocate, Albert Ellis, explains at length the principles underlying this therapeutic approach and shows how beneficial it can be, not only for therapy but also as a basic philosophy of life. As the title indicates, REBT promotes an attitude of tolerance, an open-minded willingness to accept the frailties, less-than-ideal behaviors, and unique characteristics of both others and ourselves. Ellis persuasively demonstrates that lack of tolerance of our own imperfections can easily lead to emotional disturbances and unhappiness. And intolerance of others, which fails to account for the great diversity of human personalities and behaviors, can become a serious disruptive force in today's highly diverse, multicultural global society.To counter such negative tendencies, Ellis advocates the adoption and practice of three basic attitudes of tolerance: (1) Unconditional Self-Acceptance (USA); (2) Unconditional Other-Acceptance (UOA); and (3) Unconditional Life-Acceptance (ULA). He discusses the philosophical foundations of these principles and then devotes a number of chapters to comparing REBT to spiritual and religious philosophies. He points out the dangers of fanatical tendencies in religion while also showing how the basic principles of REBT are similar to some ancient religious philosophies such as Zen Buddhism and the Judeo-Christian Golden Rule. In addition, he criticizes certain secular philosophies for their extremism, including Fascism and Ayn Rand's Objectivism, and he also discusses the ramifications of applying REBT in the social, political, and economic sphere.In emphasizing how easy it is for all of us to think, feel, and act intolerantly, Ellis brilliantly shows that tolerance is a deliberate, rational choice that we can all make, both for the good of ourselves and for the good of the world.

Offers an account of gender blending. This book looks at biological, sociological, psychological, historical, anthropological, religious, and other aspects of gender blending to find common ground among researchers in various areas. It represents a collaboration of experts and those involved in gender blending.

Voltaire (1694-1778), novelist, dramatist, poet, philosopher, historian, and satirist, was one of the most renowned figures of the Age of Enlightenment. This is a collection of anti-clerical works from the last twenty-five years of his life, where he attacks the philosophical optimism of the deists, and the so-called inspiration of the Bible.

An attempt to summarise arguments from journals, this book offers a set of rejoinders for use by atheists in their formal (and informal) debates with theists.

Answers the need for an alternative to recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction. This book aims to help non-religious alcoholics to maintain philosophical integrity while achieving the goal of lifelong sobriety. It also offers insights and suggestions for developing coping skills and regaining self-esteem through self-reliance.

Explains the concepts of physical chemistry by telling the story of the geniuses and eccentrics who made groundbreaking discoveries in this field that bridges chemistry, physics, and mathematics. This book presents a tale about the colourful varieties of human character, and the struggles to understand the workings of the material world.

Offers the English translation of six unpublished theoretical studies (sometimes referred to as Nietzsche's "Philosopher's Book"). This book contains an introduction that provides the biographical and philological information necessary for understanding these often fragmentary texts.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) accomplished many astounding works of art such as "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper". Featuring anatomical drawings, geometrical illustrations, as well as life of Leonardo, this book aims to serve as a primer for students interested in learning the craft of drawing and painting.

How does administration contribute to the type of society we have? In what ways does it impede or enhance our cultural ideals and values? This title offers an unorthodox solution by presenting administration as an arena for critical reflection and humanistic action, rather than a more technically-oriented style of management.

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) championed the belief that people of conscience were at liberty to follow their own opinion. This work is a selection of his writings that shows Thoreau the individualist and opponent of injustice.

Edward Jenner was a pioneer in demonstrating that vaccination was an effective means of preventing smallpox. This book contains three treatises that summarize his evidence in favour of vaccination. It describes individual cases.

Albert Schweitzer's social and ethical philosophy is expressed in this book. It gives contemporary readers the opportunity to discover his prophetic thought.