"Smart and timely." —  Bret Stephens, New York Times

About the Book

When we’re in the Certainty Trap, we tend to view people who disagree with us as hateful, ignorant, or just plain stupid. When it comes to heated social and political issues in particular, many of us know this feeling well—a consuming state of righteous indignation and moral outrage. And this response makes sense because our very certainty tells us that there are simple and obvious causes and solutions to the hot-button issues we care about most. But the things we care about the most are—far more often than not—morally and ethically complex. If the problems that divide us are inherently complicated, then a sense that the answers are obvious—and that anyone who disagrees must be deficient in some way—is misplaced. It's an oversimplification that both leads to and reflects faulty thinking. When we’re certain, we not only fail to recognize the possibility that we’re wrong but also fail to be clear about the principles and values that drive our disagreement in the first place. By committing to challenging and clarifying our thinking—by avoiding the trap certainty sets for us—we can increase social trust, reduce political polarization, and better address the world’s pressing challenges.

About the Author

Ilana Redstone is a professor of sociology at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and co-directs the Mill Institute at the University of Austin. More about her work is available at www.ilanaredstone.com.

Joe Walsh (foreword by) is a former U.S. congressman and presidential candidate. He is currently host of the White Flag podcast.

Details

ISBN: 9781634312561
Format: hardcover
SRP: $29.95
Page count: 248 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: September 2024

About the Book

Misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda have always presented challenges to democratic societies, but today, due to the internet, so-called fake news knows no boundaries or borders. With each passing day the potential reach of a single false news story—and its ability to negatively impact all of us—grows in both size and scope. Although politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens regularly complain about deceptive or biased news reports, they tend to define fake news as anything with which they happen to disagree, thus compounding the problem even further. Seeking to bring some much-needed clarity to the subject, journalist and author David G. McAfee documents the myriad definitions of “fake news” and its various incarnations throughout history, from ideologically motivated disinformation operations to commercially motivated misinformation campaigns. Demonstrating that we are all culpable in the creation of the current “fake news” pandemic, he presents a number of practical and actionable suggestions for combating it. In the end, however, he argues that each of us, no matter our political bent, have an important role to play in curbing the insidious spread and most dangerous effects of fake news.

About the Author(s)

David G. McAfee is author of No Sacred Cows, Mom, Dad, I'm an Atheist, Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings, and The Belief Book. He holds a degree in religious studies from the University of California–Santa Barbara and lives in Southern California.

Details

ISBN: 9781634312066
Format: paperback
SRP: $14.95
Lexile measure: 1260L
Page count: 208 pages
Trim size: 5.5 x 8.5
Pub date: October 2020

“A lovely book!”
—Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion

About the Book

Every thinking person wants to lead a life of meaning and purpose. For thousands of years, holy books have told us that such a life is available only through obedience and submission to some higher power. Today, the faithful keep popular devotionals and tracts within easy reach on bedside tables and mobile devices, all communicating this common message: Life is meaningless without God. Former pastor Dan Barker eloquently, powerfully, and rationally upends this long-held belief in Life Driven Purpose. Offering words of enrichment, emancipation, and inspiration, he reminds us how millions of atheists lead happy, loving, moral, and purpose-filled lives. Practicing what he preaches, he also demonstrates through his own personal journey that life is valuable for its own sake—that meaning and purpose come not from above, but from within.

About the Author(s)

Dan Barker, a former evangelical minister, is co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, co-host of Freethought Radio, and co-founder and board member of the Clergy Project. A widely sought-after lecturer, debater, and performer, he regularly discusses atheism and life’s meaning and purpose in the national media, with appearances on Oprah Winfrey, The Daily Show, the O'Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, and many others. Daniel C. Dennett (foreword by) is university professor, professor of philosophy, and co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University.

Details

ISBN: 9781939578211
Format: paperback
SRP: $14.95
Page count: 216 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: April 1, 2015

"David G. McAfee's newest book should be on every skeptic's bookshelf, and on every believer's, too. It is a thorough treatment of a number of topics that inspire undue credulity—some much more harmful than others—but all requiring skepticism. Having interviewed hundreds of authors on these sorts of subjects over the years, and having read all of their books, I enthusiastically recommend No Sacred Cows. It is an important work of skepticism steeped in solid research, open-minded inquiry, and a humane interest in helping believers better understand and accept the world as it really is.”
—D.J. Grothe, director, Institute for Science and Human Values

About the Book

While belief in religious supernatural claims is waning throughout the West, evidence suggests belief in nonreligious supernatural claims is on the rise. What explains this contradiction? How can a society with a falling belief in God have a rising belief in ghosts, psychic powers, ancient astronauts, and other supernatural or pseudo-scientific phenomena? Taking the same anthropological approach he employed in his notable studies of religion, atheist author and activist David G. McAfee turns his attention to nonreligious faith-based claims. Whether going undercover as a medium, getting tested at Scientology headquarters in Los Angeles, or interviewing celebrity paranormalists and famous skeptics, he leaves no stone unturned in his investigation. As in the case of religion, he finds an unwillingness among "believers" to critically examine their most closely held convictions. Only once individuals honestly assess their own sacred cows will they be able to ensure that their beliefs conform to the known facts—and that our decisions as a society are based on the best available evidence.

About the Author(s)

David G. McAfee is author of Mom, Dad, I'm an Atheist: The Guide to Coming Out as a Nonbeliever, Disproving Christianity and Other Secular Writings, and The Belief Book. He holds a degree in religious studies from the University of California–Santa Barbara and lives in Southern California. Yvette d'Entremont (foreword by), also known as SciBabe, is a public speaker, science blogger, and former analytical chemist.

Details

ISBN: 9781634311182
Format: paperback
SRP: $17.95
Page count: 448 pages
Trim size: 6 x 9
Pub date: August 2017