На задната корица:
'One of the best non-fiction writers alive today.' STEVEN PINKER
Science in the Soul is a kaleidoscopic argument for the power and the glory of science. Breathtaking, brilliant and passionate, the essays, journalism, lectures and letters in this new collection make an unanswerable case for the wonder of scientific discovery and its power to stir the imagination; for the practical necessity of scientific endeavour to society; and for the importance of the scientific way of thinking - particularly in today's 'post-truth' world.
More than forty pieces are gathered here, with an introduction and new commentary by the author in dialogue with himself across the years. They range over subjects from evolution and Darwinian natural selection to the role of scientist as prophet, whether science is itself a religion, the probability of alien life in other worlds, and the beauties, cruelties and oddities of earthly life in this one. Alongside the explications, the celebrations and the controversies are wonderfully funny ventures into satire and parody, and moving personal reflections in memory and honour of others.
A sparkling showcase for his rapier wit, the clarity, precision and vigour he brings to an argument, the beauty of his prose, the depth of his feeling and his capacity for joy, Science in the Soul is further evidence of Richard Dawkins' status as one of science's all-time great communicators.
A thunderously gifted science writer.' SUNDAY TIMES
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"Един от най-добрите писатели на нехудожествена литература днес." STEVEN PINKER
Науката в душата е калейдоскопичен аргумент за силата и славата на науката. Спиращи дъха, брилянтни и страстни, есетата, публицистиката, лекциите и писмата в тази нова колекция дават неоспорим аргумент за чудото на научното откритие и силата му да раздвижи въображението; за практическата необходимост от научните усилия за обществото; и за важността на научния начин на мислене - особено в днешния "пост-истинен" свят.
Тук са събрани повече от четиридесет произведения, с въведение и нов коментар от автора в диалог със себе си през годините. Те обхващат теми от еволюцията и Дарвиновия естествен подбор до ролята на учения като пророк, дали самата наука е религия, вероятността за извънземен живот в други светове и красотите, жестокостите и странностите на земния живот в този. Наред с обясненията, празненствата и споровете са чудесно забавни начинания в сатирата и пародията и вълнуващи лични размисли в памет и чест на другите.
Искряща витрина за остроумието му с рапира, яснотата, прецизността и енергичността, които внася в спора, красотата на прозата му, дълбочината на чувствата му и способността му за радост, Science in the Soul е още едно доказателство за статуса на Ричард Докинс като един от големите комуникатори на науката за всички времена.
'Изключително надарен научен писател'. SUNDAY TIMES
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Contents
Author's introduction 1
Editor's introduction 13
I The value(s) of science
The values of science and the science of values 21
Speaking up for science: an open letter to Prince Charles 67
Science and sensibility 76
Dolittle and Darwin 97
II All its merciless glory
'More Darwinian than Darwin: the Darwin-Wallace papers 107
Universal Darwinism 119
An ecology of replicators 151
Twelve misunderstandings of kin selection 163
III Future conditional
Net gain 187
Intelligent aliens 193
Searching under the lamp-post 208
Fifty years on: killing the soul? 212
IV Mind control, mischief and muddle
The 'Alabama Insert' 221
The guided missiles of 9/11 234
The theology of the tsunami 239
Merry Christmas, Prime Minister! 246
The science of religion 252
Is science a religion? 266
Atheists for Jesus 274
V Living in the real world
The dead hand of Plato 287
'Beyond reasonable doubt'? 297
But can they suffer? 301
I love fireworks, but. . . 304
Who would rally against reason? 309
In praise of subtitles; or, a drubbing for dubbing 314
If I ruled the world ... 320
VI The sacred truth of nature
About time 329
The giant tortoise's tale: islands within islands 339
The sea turtles tale: there and back again (and again?) 344
Farewell to a digerati dreamer 350
VII Laughing at live dragons
Fundraising for faith 361
The Great Bus Mystery 366
Jarvis and the Family Tree 374
Gerin Oil 382
Sage elder statesman of the dinosaur fancy 385
Athorism: let's hope it's a lasting vogue 389
Dawkins' Laws 391
VIII No man is an island
Memories of a maestro 397
O my beloved father: John Dawkins, 1915-2010 402
More than my uncle: A. F 'Bill' Dawkins, 1916-2009 405
Honouring Hitch 413
Sources and acknowledgements 419
Bibliography of works cited 424
Index 428
