Fads and fallacies : in the name of science
"This witting and engaging book examines the various fads, fallacies, strange cults and curious panaceas which at one time or another have masqueraded as science. Not just a collection of anecdotes but a fair, reason appraisal of eccentric theory, it is unique in recognizing the scientific, philosophic and sociological-psychological implications of the wave of pseudoscientific theories which periodically besets the world. To this second revised edition of a work formerly titled In the Name of Science, Martin Gardner has added new, up-to-date material to an already impressive account of hundreds of systematized vagaries. Here you will find discussions of hollow-earth fanatics like Symmes; Velikovsky and wandering planets; Hörbiger, Bellamy and the theory of multiple moons; Charles Fort and the Fortean Society; dowsing and the other strange methods for finding water, ores and oil. Also cover are such topics as naturopathy, iridiagnosis, zone therapy, good fads; Wilhelm Reich and orgone sex energy; L. Ron Hubbard and Dianetics; A. Korzybski and General Semantics. A new examination of Bridey Murphy is included in this edition, along with a new section on bibliographic reference material"--Back cover
Print Book, English, 1957
Dover Publications, New York, 1957