Science, Myth or Magic? : A Struggle for Existence

This work attempts to define what is "science" and, more importantly, what is not science.

Tony Barnett faces superstition, magic and charlatanry, political platforms masquerading as scientifically-based programmes and pseudobiology, and gives rational responses to them based on authentic science.

He shows how scientific methods can be applied to specific everyday problems and scientifically scrutinizes a number of popular but erroneous beliefs, from the repellent to the absurd.

Barnett gives a down-to-earth but optimistic account of what scientists do: their struggles; the limitations of science; what makes science distinctive as a practice; the contrasting roles of logic and intuition; and the moral implications.

Throughout, he aims to avoid vague generalizations and emphasize practical implications, pointing to ways in which science can serve both truth and humanity.