Rupert Sheldrake

"In Science Set Free, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, one of the world's most innovative scientists, shows the ways in which science is being constricted by assumptions that have hardened into dogmas that are not only limiting, but also dangerous for the future of humanity" -- Front jacket flap.

10 paths to new discovery

Science set free

Timeo Williams

I'd like to start this review by saying that I think individuals interested in science should read this book. For the same reasons a Christian should read a book by Sam Harris, understanding the opposing view of your mental models is a great exercise. 

Rupert starts this book with stating 10 statements that are considered fact by scientists, that, when observed closely, may not be fact at all. 

I'd like to state that I do like the holistic thinking style of Rupert, and I agree that using a systems approach to the sciences will definitely aid the progression of new findings. There are certainly failings with the approach of reductionism, and things are truly more complex than they appear. And yes, we know that Physics needs to find a unified model for quantum theory and special relativity. 
However, progress is being made, and though the standard model used today is not eloquent, it does a decent job. 

Dr. Sheldrake goes on to discuss searching for evidence for psychic phenomena, and states that the data he collected in double blind experiments show evidence in support of the phenomena, with 55% of the times being accurate, as statistically significant and higher than random. 
An interesting side note is that apparently Dawkins showed interest in finding out about this for a TV show, but when asked by Sheldrake if he'd like to see the evidence/data, Dawkins declined and appeared to take a view of dogmatism. 

I'm not a scientist, but I think scientists would be in the wrong if they did not actively seek out opposing evidence and rebuttal it. I think it would certainly aid in spreading the popularity of science if it were to not reject phenomena in which there is any supporting data. 

I also agree with Sheldrake on his take of alternative medicine. Sheldrake's main argument here is the performance of the depression fighting drug, Prozac. While looking into the data for Prozac, a study from the Plos( Public Library of Science) showed that when looking at the full test results of Prozac, it fares no better than the placebo. Note this drug has been sold millions of times and has been recommended by doctors for more than a decade. Here are the pros of alternative medicine: though all of these medicines have not gone through the scientific testing phase and passed, each of them show merit as possible/cheaper solutions to mainstream medicine.

Science set free 10 paths to new discovery

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