Science Talk: Changing Notions of Science in American Culture

by Daniel Patrick Thurs

Overview

Discoveries in the sciences are occurring constantly contributing to the changing defeition of the term "science" itself. Daniel Patrick Thurs examines what these controversies say about how we understand science now and in the future. Drawing on his analysis of magazines, newspapers, journals and other forms of public discourse, Thurs describes how science-originally used as a synonym for general knowledge-became a term to distinguish particular subjects as elite forms of study accessible only to the highly educated.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813541525
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	07/24/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	252
File size:	415 KB

About the Author

Daniel Patrick Thurs is a fellow at the New York University's Draper Program. After receiving his Ph.D. in the history of science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Thurs worked at Cornell University, studying public discussion of nanotechnology. He also taught at Oregon State University and the University of Portland.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     ix
Introduction: Talking about Science     1
Phrenology: A Science for Everyone     22
Evolution: Struggling over Science     53
Relativity: A Science Set Apart     90
UFOs: In the Shadow of Science     123
Intelligent Design: The Evolution of Science Talk     159
Notes     185
Index     225

Editorial Reviews

This is a finely nuanced, rich text from which we can learn to think anew about the science and Christianity dialogue, especially in its present representation in American culture.

Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

This volume is a controversial and important contribution that helps clarify some of the reasons why we, as a culture, are so deeply conflicted about a major, if not the major force driving the modern world.

author of Redeeming Culture: American Religion in an Age of Science - James Gilbert

"There is much of value in Science Talk and Daniel Patrick Thurs should be commended for bringing to light the process whereby scientific controversies have evolved over time. It is an engaging study, one that will benefit all those interested in science and its place in American history."

QUEST

In this pioneering exploration of nearly 200 years of popular writing about science in America, Daniel Thurs finally puts 'science' into the history of science.

author of The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design - Ronald L. Numbers

"There is much of value in Science Talk and Daniel Patrick Thurs should be commended for bringing to light the process whereby scientific controversies have evolved over time. It is an engaging study, one that will benefit all those interested in science and its place in American history."

From the Publisher