By Mathew Goldstein
There has been no activity here for a few months so I decided to introduce the commentary of someone new who I recently discovered. Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, University of Sydney. The Conversation describes itself as a nonprofit, independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of researchers and scientists for the public good. This year he published commentary on Richard Dawkins’ book “The God Delusion”. Last year he wrote commentary about Steven Pinker’s book “When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Science of Harmony, Hypocrisy and Outrage”. I have read neither book (although I did read Steven Pinker’s book “Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress” which I recommend). One way to learn about books we have not read is to read thoughtful book reviews from someone else who has spent the time needed to read those books. I read these two book reviews by Jamie Robert and, having enjoyed them both, decided to share them here. Truth, evidence and controversy: Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion at 20. How does ‘common knowledge’ shape our individual lives and our societies? Steven Pinker has some ideas.
