Pseudoscience and Deception

Pseudoscience and Deception is a compilation of some of the most eye-opening skeptical articles pertaining to extraordinary claims and pseudoscience. The articles explore paranormal, extraordinary, or fringe-science claims and reveal logical explanations or outline the deceptive tactics involved in convincing the vulnerable. Topics include claims of astrology, psychic ability, alternative medicine, after-death communication, psychotherapy, and pseudoscience. The contributors to this book are among the most accomplished critical thinkers, scientists, and educators in the world and tackle their respective topics from a rational, logical, and skeptical perspective. Most students are seldom excited to study "critical thinking"-with the exception of allegedly paranormal phenomena as the subject matter. Educators must seize this golden opportunity to witness and experience students' genuine engagement in studying critical thinking.

Pseudoscience and Deception is a compilation of some of the most eye-opening skeptical articles pertaining to extraordinary claims and pseudoscience. The articles explore paranormal, extraordinary, or fringe-science claims and reveal logical explanations or outline the deceptive tactics involved in convincing the vulnerable.

Foreword, by Michael ShermerPrefaceAcknowledgementsCRITICAL THOUGHT ABOUT STRANGE THINGS1. Why Smart People Believe Weird Things2. How to ArguePSYCHIC PHENOMENA & FORTUNE-TELLING3. Cold Reading: How to Convince Strangers That You Know All About Them4. Long Island ChicanerySCIENCE/HEALTH CLAIMS5. Why Bogus Therapies Often Seem to Work6. Power Balance Products: A Skeptical Look7. Consensus on Climate Change8. Why Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis is WorthlessOUT OF THIS WORLD9. The Case For and Against Astrology10. Looking Up to Logic11. The Lunar Effect and Confirmation BiasRELIGION & FAITH HEALING12. Prayer and Healing: The Verdict Is In and the Results Are Null13. Confessions of a SkepticPSYCHOTHERAPY14. Pseudoscience in Contemporary Clinical Psychology: What it is and what we can do about itNUMERICAL ANOMALIES15. Number Manipulation: The Not ¿So Spooky¿ Tim McVeighAFTERLIFE AND RELATED PHENOMENA16. Deconstructing the DeadCRYPTOZOOLOGY17. Bigfoot at 50: Evaluating a Half-Century of Bigfoot EvidenceABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS