29 min listen
Rationally Speaking #14 - Jennifer Michael Hecht on Science, Religion, Happiness, and Other Myths
Rationally Speaking #14 - Jennifer Michael Hecht on Science, Religion, Happiness, and Other Myths
ratings:
Length:
33 minutes
Released:
Aug 1, 2010
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Author, science historian, philosopher, and poet Jennifer Michael Hecht discusses her views on science, religion, and skepticism. She talks about her book "The Happiness Myth", showing how the very concept of happiness has changed dramatically both in time and across cultures, to the point that it may make little sense to simply ask “are you happy”? Also she makes her skeptical comments on the findings of science, for instance concerning eating and exercise habits, and how the skeptic community's reliance on science borders on religion.
Jennifer teaches at the New School in New York City. She is the author of Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson and of The Happiness Myth: The Historical Antidote to What Isn't Working Today, among other books.
Jennifer teaches at the New School in New York City. She is the author of Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson and of The Happiness Myth: The Historical Antidote to What Isn't Working Today, among other books.
Released:
Aug 1, 2010
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Rationally Speaking #3 - Can History Be a Science?: Guest: Prof. Peter Turchin of the U. of Conn. discusses whether history can be studied and understood in a scientific manner. Plus our guest's pick: Victor Lieberman's book "Strange Parallels" by Rationally Speaking Podcast