By far the best of the first three in the series. All the resolution (or at least action) I was wanting from the first book and a bit has started to cBy far the best of the first three in the series. All the resolution (or at least action) I was wanting from the first book and a bit has started to come through here. Huzzah!...more
The story of Galileo's rise and fall from grace not as a scientist pitted against the Church, but as a politician and courtier. Biagioli's somewhat toThe story of Galileo's rise and fall from grace not as a scientist pitted against the Church, but as a politician and courtier. Biagioli's somewhat tongue-in-cheek history of the astronomer is both entertaining and enlightening, with a perspective on the development of science that most people rarely, if ever, consider. I've spent the semester looking at the development of modern science (and the politics surrounding it) and this has been one of the better reads I've encountered....more
Kuhn packs a lot of ideas into 200 pages. While his vague usage of "paradigm" can sometimes be frustrating, it's definitely worth a couple of reads toKuhn packs a lot of ideas into 200 pages. While his vague usage of "paradigm" can sometimes be frustrating, it's definitely worth a couple of reads to fully grasp the concepts he puts forth about the development of modern science....more
While at times the whole "oh, I need to defend my honor but I'm so conflicted. Woe is me!" got a little tired, overall I enjoyed it.While at times the whole "oh, I need to defend my honor but I'm so conflicted. Woe is me!" got a little tired, overall I enjoyed it....more
Gaita's use of anecdote is an effective tool--at first. However, it quickly becomes apparent (and maddening) that he relies almost entirely upon theseGaita's use of anecdote is an effective tool--at first. However, it quickly becomes apparent (and maddening) that he relies almost entirely upon these anecdotes, to the detriment of the work as a whole. The end result is, unfortunately, a book that comes across as absolute fluff for mass-consumption, whatever the original intent. This is, in essence, a less efficient, less compelling attempt at what Scully so elegantly penned in [Dominion]....more
My god, but this was thick. Rather like a summary of the authors of the term than anything particularly novel. Indeed, it was often difficult to teaseMy god, but this was thick. Rather like a summary of the authors of the term than anything particularly novel. Indeed, it was often difficult to tease out the original philosophy from the explorations of others'....more
After spending the past few weeks reading theory on animal rights and our moral obligations (or lack thereof) I thought I was immune to pretty much anAfter spending the past few weeks reading theory on animal rights and our moral obligations (or lack thereof) I thought I was immune to pretty much anything any activist could throw at me. Yet, here is a conservative Christian who has managed to create a compelling work that a) neatly sums up most of what I've read on the subject and b) proposes reasons for mercy and morality towards animals that is less abrasive than Singer and more, well, realistic than most.
This book kind of snuck up on me, affecting me in ways I didn't anticipate. It was profoundly disturbing, despite its civility (or perhaps because of). I had a hard time finishing my dinner, feeling incredibly guilty about the origins of my meal. Several times I actually set the book down and walked away, unable to deal with the cruelty of humans. Walking through the grocery store this evening, I felt the full impact of this book in the guilt I experienced even glancing at the packaged meat. Never before have I seriously even considered going vegetarian; now freeganism (or some variation) seems more appealing today than it ever has....more
It's been a long time since I've been so thoroughly frustrated by a book. Spent 250-some-odd pages feeling talked down to. I found the book incrediblyIt's been a long time since I've been so thoroughly frustrated by a book. Spent 250-some-odd pages feeling talked down to. I found the book incredibly infuriating; it took a lot of restraint not to chuck it across the room.
Wynne tears many of the famous animal behaviour experiments apart without a) positing alternatives or b) considering the other side of data interpretation. Animals don't think. Why? Because they can't. Honestly, I feel like Aristotle gave a more balanced view of animals than this man....more
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