Using Pseudoscience to Teach Scientific Thinking
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Patternicity and Persuasion: Evolutionary Biology As a Bridge Between Economic and Narrative Analysis in the Law
PATTERNICITY AND PERSUASION: EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN ECONOMIC AND NARRATIVE ANALYSIS IN THE LAW James D. Ridgway* ―We are not Homo sapiens, Wise Man . We are Pan narrans, the storytelling ape.‖1 A defining characteristic of humanity is our pervasive use of tools to solve problems. Legal theory is an endeavor with its own toolbox: methods of construction and deconstruction that are applied to a huge spectrum of problems. In recent years, economics has been one of the law‘s dominant analytical tools, and evolutionary biology has rapidly increased in its usage.2 Narrative theory—the study of storytelling and how it influences the decision-making process3—is far less discussed as a tool of legal analysis, but has its own adherents. Although these tools are clearly useful, their foundations and persuasive power have not been fully explored. As demonstrated by this article, evolutionary biology can now explain how human beings instinctively approach legal analysis and what features from economic and narrative analysis are rooted in the information processing functions of the brain. As a result, the most effective aspects of each can be synthesized into a new tool: analysis of the archetypal interactions that can be used to dissect any legal problem. On the surface, these tools may appear to be distinct. Yet, the connections between economics, narrative theory, and evolution run deep. Charles Darwin was aware of the power of narratives, and historians agree * Professorial Lecturer in Law, the George Washington University School of Law. This paper was presented at the Twelfth Society for Evolutionary Analysis in Law Scholarship Conference at the Loyola Law School-Los Angeles in February 2011. -
Michael Brant Shermer
Curriculum Vitae Michael Brant Shermer 2761 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 626/794-3119 (P), 626/794-1301 (F), [email protected] Education Ph.D. Claremont Graduate School: 1991 History of Science (Dissertation: Alfred Russel Wallace: Heretic Scientist. Ann Arbor, MI: UMI Dissertation Information Service) M.A. California State University, Fullerton: 1978 Experimental Psychology B.A. Pepperdine University: 1976 Psychology/Biology Professional Positions 2010 – Present: Presidential Fellow, Chapman University 2007 - 2011: Adjunct Professor, Claremont Graduate University 1992 - Present: Founding Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Skeptic magazine 1992 - Present: Executive Director, Skeptics Society 2015 - Present: Host, Science Salon Podcast 2001 - 2019: Contributing Editor and Monthly Columnist, Scientific American 1992 - 2015: Host, Skeptics Lecture Series at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 1998 - 2010: Science Correspondent, KPCC, 89.3 FM, NPR affiliate for L.A. 1999 - 2000 Consulting Producer/Host, Exploring the Unknown 13-hour TV series, Fox Family 1989 - 1998 Adjunct Professor, Cultural Studies Program, Occidental College 1991 - 1993 Adjunct Professor, History of Science, California State University, Los Angeles 1986 - 1991 Assistant Professor of Psychology, Glendale College 1980 - 1986 Instructor of Psychology, Glendale College Courses Taught Chapman University (2010-Present): Skepticism 101: How to Think Like a Scientist Honors Seminar: The Moral Arc of Science Honors Seminar: Evolution, Ethics, and Morality Claremont Graduate University (2007-2011): Evolution, Economics, and the Brain Science and Morality Occidental College (1989-1998): 1. Science: Its History and Impact from Copernicus to Einstein 2. Evolution: The History and Science of the Theory 3. European Intellectual and Cultural History 4. Science, Technology, and Culture (Core program team-taught course) 5. -
PAUL KURTZ in MEMORIAM Paul Kurtz, Philosopher, Humanist Leader, and Founder of the Modern Skeptical Movement, Dies at Eighty-Six TOM FLYNN
Jan Feb 13 2_SI new design masters 11/29/12 11:26 AM Page 5 [ PAUL KURTZ IN MEMORIAM Paul Kurtz, Philosopher, Humanist Leader, and Founder of the Modern Skeptical Movement, Dies at Eighty-Six TOM FLYNN Paul Kurtz, founder and longtime chair At NYU Kurtz studied philosophy of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, under Sidney Hook, who had himself the Council for Secular Humanism, and been a protégé of the pragmatist philoso- the Center for Inquiry, died at the age pher John Dewey. The philosophy of of eighty-six on October 20, 2012. He Dewey and Hook, arguably the greatest was one of the most influential figures American thinkers in the humanist tra- in the humanist and skeptical move- dition, would deeply in fluence Kurtz’s ments from the late 1960s through the thought and activism. Kurtz graduated first decade of the twenty-first century. from NYU in 1948 and earned his PhD Among his best-known creations are in philosophy at Columbia University in the skeptics’ magazine SKEPTICAL IN- 1952. QUIRER, the secular humanist magazine Free Inquiry, and the independent pub- Academic Career lisher Prometheus Books. Kurtz taught philosophy at Trinity Col- Jonathan Kurtz, Paul’s son, told SI that lege from 1952 to 1959. He joined the his father had a “‘joyous’ last day, joking, faculty at Union College from 1961 to laughing, etc. He then died suddenly to- 1965; during this period he was also a ward bedtime. There was no suffering.” A visiting lecturer at the New School for joint CFI/CSI/CSH statement marked Social Research. -
United States District Court District of Minnesota
CASE 0:07-cv-01296-JRT-FLN Document 1 Filed 02/23/07 Page 1 of 4 United States District Court District of Minnesota Christopher Roller (Plaintiff) vs. The James Randi Educational Civil Action No. Foundation, Inc. (JREF) c/o Magician James Randi (Defendant) Complaint I'm thoroughly confused about James Randi. James educates people. I would like James to educate me. James is a magician. The "Amazing Randi". I truly believe Randi is amazing. I believe James Randi has godly powers. I could be wrong. I've been wrong before, but I had a hunch about David Copperfield, and it turned out I was right. Now James doesn't perform many magic shows anymore, but I think he's making money via products made from godly powers. Again, I could be wrong. You see, I now have a patent on godly powers - Pat#20070035812. http://www. objectforce.com/php/MyTrumanShow__/Legal/Patent/Patent.html. The patent gives me exclusive right to the ethical use and financial gain in the use of godly powers on planet Earth. I believe James has been infringing on that patent effective 29July2005 in accordance with U.S.C 35 § 271. Not just for financial gain, but also because I believe he has knowledge of immoral behavior through the use of godly powers. CASE 0:07-cv-01296-JRT-FLN Document 1 Filed 02/23/07 Page 2 of 4 Again I could be wrong. If I'm wrong I will drop the suit immediately. But it's seems like a stubborn game played by lawyers to dismiss the case before I get a chance to ask any questions. -
The Disbelieving Michael Shermer: a Review Essay of Michael Shermer’S the Believing Brain
Volume 5, No. 1, April 2012 89 The Disbelieving Michael Shermer: A Review Essay of Michael Shermer’s The Believing Brain Eugene A. Curry1 Michael Shermer. The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies: How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths. New York: Times Books, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0805091250 (hardcover). 400 pages. $28.00 Introduction Michael Shermer is an interesting man. He is a former professional cyclist, a professor at Claremont Graduate University in California, and the Executive Director of the Skeptics Society. It is in this last role as a professional unbeliever that Shermer has really made a name for himself. Raised within a household largely apathetic to religious issues, Shermer embraced Christianity as a teenager and pursued his new spirituality with gusto. But after some time Shermer‘s faith began to wane and ultimately guttered out. Now, armed with an education in experimental psychology and history, Shermer opposes belief in all things supernatural and paranormal by writing books on these issues, publishing a magazine entitled Skeptic, debating prominent believers, and standing in as the designated doubter in various media appearances. 1. Eugene Curry is Senior Pastor of The First Baptist Church of Granada Hills, CA. E- mail: [email protected] 90 The Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics Shermer‘s latest book, The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths, pursues this very track, sketching out the various dynamics that undergird human thought and then analyzing a range of beliefs he finds incredible with reference to that theoretical framework. -
United States Court of Appeals for the DISTRICT of COLUMBIA
<<The pagination in this PDF may not match the actual pagination in the printed slip opinion>> USCA Case #93-7140 Document #89561 Filed: 12/09/1994 Page 1 of 8 UnitedÿStatesÿCourtÿofÿAppeals FORÿTHEÿDISTRICTÿOFÿCOLUMBIAÿCIRCUIT ArguedÿOctoberÿ6,ÿ1994ÿÿÿÿÿDecidedÿDecemberÿ9,ÿ1994 No.ÿ93-7140 URIÿGELLER, APPELLANT v. JAMESÿRANDI, A/K/AÿADAMÿJERSIN, A/K/AÿDONALD, A/K/AÿTRUTH'SÿBODYGUARD, A/K/AÿTHEÿAMAZINGÿRANDI, A/K/AÿRANDALLÿJAMESÿZWINGE; ÿCOMMITTEEÿFORÿTHE SCIENTIFICÿINVESTIGATIONÿOFÿCLAIMSÿOFÿTHEÿPARANORMAL, APPELLEES AppealÿfromÿtheÿUnitedÿStatesÿDistrictÿCourt forÿtheÿDistrictÿofÿColumbia 91cv01014 RichardÿW.ÿWinelander arguedÿtheÿcauseÿandÿfiledÿtheÿbriefÿforÿappellant. LeeÿLevine argued the cause for appellees. Withÿhimÿo nÿt heÿbriefÿwasÿ James E. Grossberg.ÿÿR. Darryl Cooper enteredÿanÿappearanceÿforÿappelleeÿCommitteeÿforÿtheÿScientificÿInvestigationÿof ClaimsÿofÿtheÿParanormal.ÿÿMichaelÿJ.ÿKennedy enteredÿanÿappearanceÿforÿappelleeÿJamesÿRandi. BeforeÿWALD,ÿSENTELLE,ÿandÿROGERS,ÿCircuitÿJudges. OpinionÿforÿtheÿCourtÿfiledÿbyÿCircuitÿJudge SENTELLE. SENTELLE,ÿCircuit Judge: AppellantÿUriÿGellerÿchallengesÿtheÿdistrictÿcourt'sÿawardÿof monetary sanctions under Rule 11 of the FederalÿRulesÿofÿCivilÿProcedureÿ("Ruleÿ11")ÿinÿfavorÿof appellee Committee for the Scientific Investigation ofClaims ofthe Paranormal. Gellerÿcontendsÿthat the district courtÿerredÿwhenÿitÿtreatedÿaÿmotionÿforÿRuleÿ11ÿsanctionsÿasÿconcededÿbyÿGeller under localÿrulesÿandÿthusÿawardedÿsanctions.ÿÿBecauseÿweÿholdÿthatÿtheÿdistrictÿcourtÿdidÿnotÿabuseÿit s discretionÿinÿsanctioningÿappellantÿunderÿRuleÿ11,ÿweÿaffirm. -
The Chronicle Review
The Chronicle Review January 11, 2008 The Truth Is Out There After a formative encounter with the paranormal, one philosopher embraced the study of it By Scott Carlson The pivotal moment of Stephen E. Braude's academic career happened when he was in graduate school, on a dull afternoon in Northampton, Mass., in 1969. Or, at least, what follows is what he says happened. Readers — skeptics and believers both — will have to make up their own minds. Braude and two friends had seen the only movie in town and were looking for something to do. His friends suggested going to Braude's house and playing a game called "table up." In other words, they wanted to perform a séance. They sat at a folding table, with their fingers lightly touching the tabletop, silently urging it to levitate. Suddenly it shuddered and rose several inches off the ground, then came back down. Then it rose a second time. And again and again. Braude and his friends worked out a code with the table, and it answered questions and spelled out names. Braude says he had not given much thought to the paranormal before that afternoon, but the experience shook him to his core, he says, sitting in an easy chair in his immaculate home in suburban Baltimore. He insists there was no way his friends could have manipulated the table, adding, "I should tell you, we were not stoned." Today Braude, 62, is one of the few mainstream academics applying his intellectual training to questions that many would regard at best as impossible to answer, and at worst absolutely ridiculous: Do psychic phenomena exist? Are mediums and ghosts real? Can people move objects with their minds or predict the future? A professor of philosophy at the University of Maryland- Baltimore County, Braude is a past president of the Parapsychological Association, an organization that gathers academics and others interested in phenomena like ESP and psychokinesis, and he has published a series of books with well- known academic presses on such topics. -
The Charles Walker Collection of Mystery, Myth and Magic the CHARLES WALKER COLLECTION LIST of CATEGORIES
The Charles Walker Collection of Mystery, Myth and Magic THE CHARLES WALKER COLLECTION LIST OF CATEGORIES ACUPUNCTURE AUTOMATA FLOWER REMEDIES MAGIC SYMBOLS RENNES-LE-CHATEAU AFRICAN ARTEFACTS AURA FLOWERS MAGIC ROBIN HOOD AND MAGIC AUTOMATIC WRITING FORTUNE STICKS MAGICAL CLOTHING ROMAN MYTHOLOGY AGES OF MAN FORTUNE TELLING MAGICAL RITUAL OBJECTS ROSICRUCIAN ALBEROBELLO BABYLONIAN MYTHS FRANCE MAGICIANS & INVOCATIONS RUNES ALCHEMY BARROWS FRANKENSTEIN MAGIC SPHERES ALPHABETS (MAGICAL) BEAUTY TREATMENTS FRENCH MYTHOLOGY MAJORCA SAINTS AMULETS BELGIUM MALAYSIA SCIENCE FICTION ANGELS BIOENERGY GAMES MALTA (PREHISTORIC & HORROR MAGS ANIMALS (BIRDS, FISH BLACK MAGIC GARGOYLES TEMPLES) SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITIES AND BEASTS) BLACK VIRGIN GEMS AND STONES MANDALAS SCREAMING SKULLS ANTHROPOSOPHY BRITAIN GEOMANCY MAORI MYTH SCRYING ARTHURIAN BRITISH MYTHS GERMANY MASKS SEANCES AROMATHERAPY BUDDHISM GHOSTS MASONS SEASONS ASTRAL AND ETHERIC BURMESE MYTHS GHOSTLY DOGS & MASSAGE SERPENT POWER ASTROLOGY: BLACK DOGS MAZES SHAKESPEARE AMERICAN (USA) CABBALA GIANTS MEDICAL SHAMAN ASTROLOGY CANDLE MAGIC GLASTONBURY MEDITATION SHEELA-NA-GIG ARABIC ASTROLOGY CARTOMANCY GOLDEN DAWN (ORDER OF) MERMAIDS & MERMEN SICILY ASTROLABES CATHARS & ALBIGENSIANS GOTHIC METAMORPHIC TECHNIQUE SIMULACRA ASTROLOGERS CATS (included in ANIMALS) GRAPHOLOGY MEXICAN ARCHAEOILOGY SKULLS ASTROLOGY (GENERAL) CAVE ART GRAVEYARDS MEXICAN MYTHOLOGY SNAKE CHARMERS BRITISH ASTROLOGY CELTIC GREECE MEXICO SPACE MEN CALENDARS CELTIC HEADS GREEK MYTHOLOGY MINORCA (ARCHAEOLOGY) SPAIN CHARTS (see -
An Honest Liar Premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 28, 2016 on PBS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Lisa Tawil, ITVS 415-356-8383 [email protected] Mary Lugo 770-623-8190 [email protected] Cara White 843-881-1480 [email protected] For downloadable images, visit pbs.org/pressroom/ An Honest Liar Premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 28, 2016 on PBS Portrait of James “The Amazing” Randi, the Extraordinary Magician Who Dedicated His Life to Exposing Hucksters and Frauds “Magicians are the most honest people in the world. They tell you they’re gonna fool you, and then they do it.” – James Randi (San Francisco, CA) — For the last half-century, James “The Amazing” Randi has entertained millions of people around the world with his remarkable feats of magic, escape, and trickery. But when he saw faith healers, fortunetellers, and psychics using his beloved magician’s tricks to steal money from innocent people and destroy lives, he dedicated his life to exposing frauds, using the wit and style of the great showman that he is. Part detective story, part biography, and a bit of a magic act itself, the award- James "The Amazing" Randi. winning An Honest Liar, directed and produced by Credit: Justin Weinstein, Tyler Measom Justin Weinstein and Tyler Measom, premieres on Independent Lens Monday, March 28, 2016, 10:00-11:30 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS. A self-described liar, cheat, and charlatan, Randi embarked on a mission for truth by perpetrating a series of unparalleled investigations and elaborate hoaxes. These grand schemes fooled scientists, the media, and a gullible public, but always with a deeper goal of demonstrating the importance of evidence and the dangers of magical thinking. -
Skeptic Redesign
ARTICLE Quantum Consciousness and Other Spooky Myths Quantum mechanics is mysterious. Consciousness is mysterious. The thought that there may be a connection has led to a lot of quantum biological pseudoscience. BY MARTIN BIER ABOUT A HUNDRED YEARS HAVE PASSED since coordinate axes are not to be thought of as tangible quantum mechanics was first developed. Quantum geometrical objects with real directions in three di- mechanics proved very successful in describing mensional space. They are part of a mathematical what is happening on the atomic level. The emission model in which there may be infinitely many such of light by objects when they are heated up (e.g., a axes. There is no equation that describes the col- light bulb), spectral lines, and later things like super- lapse. The numerical outcome of the observation conductivity, superfluidity, and the laser could be depends on which of the coordinate axes the wave well understood and described with quantum me- function collapses on. It is only probabilities that chanics. are associated with the different coordinate axes Quantum mechanics is not an approximation or that can be derived from Schrödinger’s equation. an ad hoc trick to make the equations agree with real- “Observation” is a somewhat vague notion and ity and with each other. It is a fundamental theory many physicists have a problem with its central role that is supposed to describe what is really happening in quantum mechanics. Furthermore, the element at the subatomic level. A wave function is the basis of of randomness in the collapse of the wave function the theory and Schrödinger's equation, named after is troublesome, and led to Einstein’s famous remark the German physicist Erwin Schrödinger, explains that “God does not play dice.” Richard Feynman, in the evolution of that wave function over time. -
Professional Liability Insurance Application for IICT Members
Professional Liability Insurance Application for IICT Members Section I: APPLICANT INFORMATION Allied Health Occupation for which Professional Liability coverage is being applied for: (Please attach a current license if required or other evidence of your certification as anAllied Health Professional as described above.) Applicant’s Name: Mailing Address: City: State: Zip: E-mail Address: Daytime Phone: Evening Phone: Fax: Date of Birth: Section II: EMPLOYMENT/OCCUPATION INFORMATION Indicate your total number of years experience relevant to the profession for which you are seeking coverage. Total: (Be sure to include any time you may have worked under supervision) o Employed* o Self-Employed Full-time (25 hours or greater)** o Self-Employed Part-time (less than 25 hours a week)** o Student - Anticipated Graduation Date: Student’s Permanent Address: City: State: Zip: Student’s Permanent E-mail: *Are you or your spouse also a shareholder or have an equity position exceeding 5% in your employer? o Yes o No *Are you incorporated (including Sub chapter S Corporations), a partner, owner or officer to your employer? o Yes o No **Are there any other individuals, employed or associated with otherwise, providing professional services on your behalf, or on behalf of an entity in which you or your spouse has an ownership interest? o Yes o No Highest degree obtained: o High School | Graduation Date: MM/DD/YY __________ o Associate | Graduation Date: MM/DD/YY __________ o Bachelors | Graduation Date: MM/DD/YY __________ o Masters | Graduation Date: MM/DD/YY __________ o Doctorate | Graduation Date: MM/DD/YY __________ Please indicate your profession for which you are seeking coverage from our listing of eligible covered occupations: ______________________________________ 1. -
Channeling: Brief History and Contemporary Context
Channeling: Brief History and Contemporary Context Although the term is new, channeling has been around for centuries. Its essence is hassle-free religion. One gains meaning in life and escape from anxiety from pre- digested 'wisdom' without any commit- ment or sacrifice. James E. Alcock POON-BENDING is out; channeling is in. This latest psychic craze is being embraced by many thousands of sincere believers, enlightening Stheir minds and often lightening their pocketbooks. "Channeling" describes what supposedly occurs when an individual serves as a conduit for some otherworldly entity to communicate with people of this world. It can take many forms: The channeler might be wide awake, in a trance, or even asleep ("dream channeling"). The channeler may speak or produce automatic writing, or even operate through a Ouija board. Channeling is essentially the mediumship of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries dressed up in new clothes. Parapsychologists realize this too. They have shown a remarkable lack of interest in the channelers' claims. Most parapsychologists consider the channeled communications to be simply the product of the channeler's mind and experience (Anderson 1988). The immortal entities who take advantage of the sudden abundance of channelers to speak to the people of this world most often bear names of a biblical or a mythic quality: Archangel Michael, Moses, the Invisibles, Ramtha, and even Jesus, are examples. Despite the erstwhile obscurity of many of the entities, they have been able to propel the people who channel them into some fame and often considerable fortune. For example, Penny Torres, a California housewife, was rocketed into prominence by channeling a 2,000-year-old man called Mafu, who teaches that humanoid colonies live under the earth and that extraterrestrials live among us.