Criticism
Critics have argued that the positions advanced in the book are contrary to the mainstream scientific consensus on a wide range of issues, and reflect a political rather than a scientific agenda. In a review for Skeptical Inquirer, Chris Mooney noted:
It offers, in one place, a nice catalogue of all the discredited arguments that are ritualistically used to undermine evolution, global warming, and much else that’s well established in modern science. Rather hilariously, if you look closely at the book's cover image on Amazon.com you will see the tagline "Liberals have hijacked science for long enough. Now it's our turn." "Our turn" to "hijack science," presumably.Mooney concludes that the book is "a very saddening and depressing read", and that mistakes and individual biases notwithstanding, scientists have "thanks to the scientific process--come up with a great deal of important and relevant knowledge", and that Bethel "radically distorts and undermines their conclusions and findings, while whipping up resentment of the scientific community among rank-and-file political conservatives."
Another review described Bethell as "an ultra-conservative, right-wing religious zealot" that...
...takes the research actual scientists have worked on for years and either twists the findings to fit his own narrow-minded agenda or he simply announces to the world that the efforts of dedicated, trained men and women in the fields of medicine, chemistry, molecular biology, genetics, etc. are just “junk science.” He produces reams of type about subjects of which he has no clear understanding and makes no effort to educate himself on matters pertaining to actual scientific method and study.Read more about this topic: The Politically Incorrect Guide To Science
Famous quotes containing the word criticism:
“I, with other Americans, have perhaps unduly resented the stream of criticism of American life ... more particularly have I resented the sneers at Main Street. For I have known that in the cottages that lay behind the street rested the strength of our national character.”
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
“Of all the cants which are canted in this canting world—though the cant of hypocrites may be the worst—the cant of criticism is the most tormenting!”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)
“A friend of mine spoke of books that are dedicated like this: “To my wife, by whose helpful criticism ...” and so on. He said the dedication should really read: “To my wife. If it had not been for her continual criticism and persistent nagging doubt as to my ability, this book would have appeared in Harper’s instead of The Hardware Age.””
—Brenda Ueland (1891–1985)