Bøger udgivet af Prometheus Books

Illustrates the issues separating the theist from the atheist and agnostic. This book sheds light on world events and the inconsistencies inherent in supernaturalism and theistic theories. It also discusses atheism both as a reaction to belief and as a separate and consistent form of belief in a world stripped of the divine.

Polls show that most Americans care about environmental quality, yet they often behave as if they do not. Empty houses heated to tropical warmth in the dead of winter and huge car dealerships ablaze with security lighting at midnight are just two examples of conspicuous waste.In Invisible Nature, environmental scholar Kenneth Worthy attributes these strange contradictions to a problem that runs deeper than just thoughtless choices. Our modern lifestyle is disconnected from nature in almost every aspect. Though we depend on nature to sustain our lives, most of us experience it only remotely and in processed forms. We are so deeply dissociated from the sources of the products we consume that we have difficulty realizing the consequences of our actions.Worthy traces the broken pathways between consumers and clean-room worker illnesses, superfund sites in Silicon Valley, and massively contaminated landscapes in rural Asian villages where electronics recycling is done. The unintended harms caused by consumption result from a lifestyle in which most people live and work in artificial surroundings and are removed from any sensuous engagement with nature.The author concludes by discussing the ways in which we can reconfigure modern life to create more involvement in our own food production, more education about how goods are produced and waste is disposed, more direct and deliberative democracy, and greater contact with the nature that sustains us.Invisible Nature offers a revolutionary new understanding of the precarious modern human-nature relationship and a path leading to a healthier, more sustainable world.

This is the extraordinary true story of America's first female rocket scientist. Told by her son, it describes Mary Sherman Morgan's crucial contribution to launching America's first satellite and the author's labyrinthine journey to uncover his mother's lost legacy--one buried deep under a lifetime of secrets political, technological, and personal. In 1938, a young German rocket enthusiast named Wernher von Braun had dreams of building a rocket that could fly him to the moon. In Ray, North Dakota, a young farm girl named Mary Sherman was attending high school. In an age when girls rarely dreamed of a career in science, Mary wanted to be a chemist. A decade later the dreams of these two disparate individuals would coalesce in ways neither could have imagined. World War II and the Cold War space race with the Russians changed the fates of both von Braun and Mary Sherman Morgan. When von Braun and other top engineers could not find a solution to the repeated failures that plagued the nascent US rocket program, North American Aviation, where Sherman Morgan then worked, was given the challenge. Recognizing her talent for chemistry, company management turned the assignment over to young Mary.In the end, America succeeded in launching rockets into space, but only because of the joint efforts of the brilliant farm girl from North Dakota and the famous German scientist. While von Braun went on to become a high-profile figure in NASA's manned space flight, Mary Sherman Morgan and her contributions fell into obscurity--until now.

The concept of race has had a powerful impact on history and continues to shape the world today in profound ways. This title explores all sides of the issue, including such questions as these: If analysis of the human genome reveals that all human beings are 99.9 per cent alike, how meaningful are racial differences?

Presents a critique of patriarchal religion and a proposal to establish a liberating alternative to the Judeo-Christian myth. Refering to the worship of a mother goddess at the dawn of civilization, this book argues for a restoration of this primal religious sensibility, which celebrated the Earth's fertility and woman's innate power to bear life.

Mixing what is known from science with some novel ideas, this work provides a provocative and stimulating thesis on the origins and evolution of consciousness. It is an interesting and original synthesis of a great deal of evidence and ideas about the origins and nature of our subjective minds.

Offers an examination of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's relationships with Jews and Judaism. This book incorporates evidence that opens Nietzsche's life and works to careful study and reflection.

Takes the reader on an architectural tour of the State University of New York, the centrepiece of America's one of the largest university system. This book features guides of both the north and south campuses, their history and heritage. It offers maps as well as photographs of the impressive structures.

Presents the findings of two important research projects in which men who admitted to a sexual interest in children were interviewed. The attitudes of these volunteer subjects differed from apprehensive paedophile offenders, challenging some of the generalisations advanced by professionals.

Presents a collection of essays examining the variety of historical and contemporary humanist philosophies. This book focuses on the need for an awareness of humanist tradition. These essays offer progressive self-appraisals to illustrate how humanism will continue to grow as a vital and compelling intellectual force.

Addressing useful information about good health, this book is filled with scientific information on health issues and the prevention of disease.

Claims that neo-Marxists are wrong when they cite the relative backwardness of colonial peoples and blame the condition on the imperialism of advanced Western nations. History tells a different tale. This book asserts that the results of imperialistic interventions differ as to result in predictable ways.

Written by a judicial history student and veteran juror, this book compiles 12 cases from England and the US in which jurors have taken it upon themselves, as a matter of conscience, to nullify or overturn horrific laws that endangered our freedoms.

Marie-Jean-Antoine-Nicolas Caritat, the Marquis de Condorcet (1743-1794), was a mathematician, a champion of women's and minority rights, and the last of the illustrious line of philosophies who graced eighteenth century France and enriched the world with the message of 'enlightenment'. This title examines the life and work of this remarkable man.

Human beings evolved in a tribal environment. This title examines the many ways in which our tribally oriented brains perceive and sometime distort reality. It also describes how our social nature led to the development of the cognitive tricks that have served us so well over the centuries.

Looks at some of the most common unfounded beliefs - and their alternative scientific explanations. This title shows readers how to find a gently persuasive way of steering people away from unfounded beliefs, bogus cures, and conspiracy theories.

Not much has survived its condemnation by the imperial Church in 448, but here is a new edition of the fragments of Porphyry of Tyre's (ca. 232 - ca. 305) attack on the beliefs and doctrines of Christianity, the divinity of Christ, the integrity of the apostles, and the reality of the resurrection.

Explores the many ways in which we are eroding our capacity for deep, sustained attention - the building block of intimacy, wisdom, and cultural progress. This title introduces us to scientists, cartographers, educators, wired teens, virtual lovers from the telegraph age, and roboticists building smart machines to comfort and care for us.

Giving an analysis of the mental pitfalls that trip up even elite critical thinkers, the author makes a case that under certain circumstances everyone is vulnerable to accepting erroneous beliefs. He begins by reviewing the hallmarks of critical thinking related to the evaluation of claims, and concludes by focusing on a range of claims.

Designed to provide long overdue recognition to the outstanding accomplishments of hundreds of African American servicemen, this book presents a researched and comprehensive, substantive reference work with numerous illustrations.

Presents the history of the Rationalist Press Association (RPA). RPA's Honorary Associates have included such luminaries of the 20th century as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, J B S Haldane, Julian Huxley, Somerset Maugham, Bertrand Russell, H G Wells, and others.

Based on numerous interviews with people from both good and failed marriages, his own experience, philosopher/marriage counsellor Richard Taylor has developed a set of proposals for reforming marriage.

Using the biblical dictum, 'the tree is known by its fruit', the author surveys the historical record left by the defenders of faith and the proponents of reason. His analysis challenges the commonly held belief that despite its many abuses religion on balance civilised the world.

Offers knowledge on ten major areas of healthcare: evaluating physicians and their care, finding good dental care, traditional private health insurance, managed care, medicaid and medicare, surgery, hospital stays, nursing homes, home and hospice care, and prescription drugs.

Presenting a collection of quotations on religious freedom, this work covers various topics - from abortion rights, charitable choice, and creationism to pluralism, and more. It includes early church fathers, Enlightenment philosophers, anticlerical European statesmen, journalists, famous writers, judges, twenty-six presidents of US, and others.

Offering a discussion of modern demonology, this title focuses on our ability to differentiate the physical world, with its mechanical laws, from the inherently less predictable psychological realm of thoughts and beliefs. It aims to explain our fascination with fantasy entertainment, such as horror stories and films, and bizarre crazes.

Contends that Silicon Valley is more than just the name of a geographical area, it is the name for a psychological obsession found where people believe that instant fame and fortune can be gained through silicon chips and Web sites. This work reveals that the obsession nourishes itself on an illusion of power and instant gratification.

Why is there so much conflict in the Balkans, the Middle East, and other parts of the world? Is there something innate in human nature that makes it next to impossible to achieve peaceful coexistence? This book says that answers must be sought in the prehistoric past when intergroup hostility became ingrained as a pattern of cultural evolution.

Is science amoral? Are scientists ethical? How do great ideas originate? This work presents an overview of the major ethical and philosophical issues confronting science. Considering the impediments that slow the progress of science, each chapter conveys an appreciation for the work that scientists do and the obstacles that stand in their way.