1995
There are “demons” among us who busy themselves with the bringing to ruin of our great modern society. A society whose greatness comes from an obsessive intellectual curiosity, a whole embrace of personal and intellectual freedom, and a commitment to skepticism at every turn. These metaphorical "demons" (ie: superstitions and pseudoscience) are purely destructive. They threaten to pull society back into darkness. While technology continues to play an ever-larger role in structuring our society, science is losing its perceived authority. The "demons" are winning, and they present a very real and catastrophic existential threat. But they only exist so long as we believe they do and the best tool to dispel them is science. Sagan proposes a doubling down on the Public Understanding of Science (PUS) effort, but by putting the tools of scientific thinking in everyone’s hands.
This book contributes to the field of Science Communication in two important ways. First, given Sagan's prestigious reputation, his full endorsement of the PUS effort, further legitimizes its activity. Second, Sagan provides a slightly different flavour to the PUS effort; while he fully endorses the essential role for public science education, he argues that attention should be shifted away from educating the public on the content of science, towards the characteristics of the scientific method (i.e. curiosity, skepticism, and falsificationism). This text, in all its confidence, provides me with a great location of critique of the PUS effort and the role of science in society. For instance, for every case in which Sagan mentions a belief in angels, ghosts, or aliens which was harmful to the believer, how many other instances might be found where such beliefs were beneficial, either socially or psychologically?
Reference:
Sagan, C. (1996). The demon-haunted world: Science as a candle in the dark. Ballantine Books.