# Please recommend a primer for why critical thinking, science, empiricism are important **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878 "2016-04-11T12:20:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/1 "2016-04-11T12:20:06Z")
Like it says on the tin, does anyone know of a good, engaging description (written or video) for why empiricism, the scientific method, standards of evidence etc. are important? It would probably cover common cognitive errors, the state of ‘knowledge’ before empiricism became established, and perhaps even cover how many scientists hold incorrect views due to their cognitive biases but evidence wins out in the end. It’s the sort of thing that many on this board have internalised over the years, but I find that too many people I interact with don’t quite grok the principle, and I would like to introduce them to it, so that they can finally stop believing in fucking homeopathy\* Homeopathy is just a catch all for all kinds of nonsense about how ancient civilisations were scientifically advanced, aliens, whatnot, and yes, I know it probably won’t help, but I’d like to try. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/2 "2016-04-11T12:27:32Z")
Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan is a great introduction to it. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/3 "2016-04-11T12:44:32Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan is a great introduction to it. Seconded. For the reader short on time, Wikipedia’s [list of cognitive biases](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cognitive_biases) is pretty enlightening. One thing to notice is how very, _very_ long that list is; despite our best efforts, we are really bad at being objective unless we document our observations and crunch the numbers; make a conscious effort to apply rules of reason, logic and evidence; and allow others to review/shitpick our results to see if we screwed up anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/4 "2016-04-11T15:57:51Z")
[The Clockwork Universe](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0061719528) by Edward Dolnick is a very accessible history of the early development of physics and cosmology, but a lot of it is really about how the early development of scientific thought in the western world changed how people view reason and knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/5 "2016-04-11T17:29:24Z")
Just today I read a review about \*The Invention of Science \*by David Wootten. [Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/Invention-Science-History-Scientific-Revolution/dp/006175952X) It’s not a great primer to recommend to goofs, but the OP might enjoy it and get some good ammo from it. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/6 "2016-04-12T00:51:48Z")
I’m not getting your example, but it seems to me that most people think homeopathy = naturopathy. Or in other words, using herbs and shit to cure ills. Which is not 100% crap. They do not realize that it means magic water/alcohol and if they realize that then it becomes easier to reject. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/7 "2016-04-12T01:45:47Z")
> **[Home](https://homeopathy-uk.org/)** > > Homeopathy UK is the leading UK homeopathy charity. We provide information on homeopathic medicine and offer free homeopathy clinics. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2016, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-recommend-a-primer-for-why-critical-thinking-science-empiricism-are-important/751878/8 "2016-04-12T03:17:05Z")
> [@Grey](#): > > Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan is a great introduction to it. > [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Seconded. Thanks, I’ve ordered it. Thanks everyone else also.