By Nathan Curland
In his latest book, Michael Shermer — publisher of Skeptic magazine, author, and Scientific American columnist — offers a comprehensive review of what science can (or cannot) say about the afterlife, immortality, and the past and present searches for possible future utopias.
By Michael Anderson
I’ve been a fan of Steven Pinker since 1994 when I came across his book The Language Instinct. I have read everything he’s written since then, with my favorite being The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. His newest book is Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress — and as usual he blows me away with his intellect, wit, and distinctive writing style.
I was first introduced to Erik Vance when he was interviewed about his book by Steve Mirsky on a “Science Talk” podcast on Scientific American Online in November. That interview motivated me to borrow a volume from the library. It is quite a find.
Homo sapiens have, in the last few millennia, filled every corner of the planet and—in less than 100 years—have for all practical purposes conquered plague, famine, and war. How did this happen?
What sets Homo sapiens apart from other species? What is the mind? Or consciousness? Do we have free will or are we just algorithms?
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