Michael Shermer Books

These simple math secrets and tricks will forever change how you look at the world of numbers. Secrets of Mental Math will have you thinking like a math genius in no time. Get ready to amaze your friends—and yourself—with incredible calculations you never thought you could master, as renowned “mathemagician” Arthur Benjamin shares his techniques for lightning-quick calculations and amazing number tricks. This book will teach you to do math in your head faster than you ever thought possible, dramatically improve your memory for numbers, and—maybe for the first time—make mathematics fun. Yes, even you can learn to do seemingly complex equations in your head; all you need to learn are a few tricks. You’ll be able to quickly multiply and divide triple digits, compute with fractions, and determine squares, cubes, and roots without blinking an eye. No matter what your age or current math ability, Secrets of Mental Math will allow you to perform fantastic feats of the mind effortlessly. This is the math they never taught you in school.

Exploring the complexities of the human mind, this work employs evolutionary psychology and cultural evolutionary theory to provide insights to an alien scientist. It delves into the origins of human behavior, thought processes, and cultural developments, offering a unique perspective on what makes humanity distinct. Through this imaginative lens, the book seeks to unravel the intricacies of human nature and the evolutionary factors that shape our psychology and culture.

Takes a look at those who say the Holocaust never happened and explores the motivations behind such claims. This work shows how we can be certain that the Holocaust happened and, for that matter, how we can confirm any historical event.

Bestselling author Shermer presents a comprehensive and provocative theory on how beliefs are born, formed, reinforced, challenged, changed, and extinguished.

Apart from disproving Holocaust denials, the authors lay a framework for examining how we know that any historical event actually happened.

A new edition covering the latest scientific research on how the brain makes us believers or skepticsRecent polls report that 96 percent of Americans believe in God, and 73 percent believe that angels regularly visit Earth. Why is this? Why, despite the rise of science, technology, and secular education, are people turning to religion in greater numbers than ever before? Why do people believe in God at all?These provocative questions lie at the heart of How We Believe , an illuminating study of God, faith, and religion. Bestselling author Michael Shermer offers fresh and often startling insights into age-old questions, including how and why humans put their faith in a higher power, even in the face of scientific skepticism. Shermer has updated the book to explore the latest research and theories of psychiatrists, neuroscientists, epidemiologists, and philosophers, as well as the role of faith in our increasingly diverse modern world.Whether believers or nonbelievers, we are all driven by the need to understand the universe and our place in it. How We Believe is a brilliant scientific tour of this ancient and mysterious desire.

UFO abductions...television sychics...creationism...Holocaust denial. Faced with the rapid changes and anxiety of modern life, many people are turning to the alluring comforts of pseudoscience and the occult. In Why People Believe Weird Things, science historian Michael Shermer, the publisher of Skeptic magazine and director of the Skeptics Society, explores the very human reasons we find supernatural phenomena, conspiracy theories, and cults so appealing. Shermer also reveals the darker and more fearful side of wishful thinking, including Holocaust denial, creationism, the recovered memory movement, alien abduction experiences, the satanic ritual abuse scare and other modern witch crazes, extreme Afrocentrism, and ideologies of racial superiority. A compelling and often disturbing portrait of our immense capacity for self-delusion, Why People Believe Weird Things celebrates the scientific spirit and the joy to be found in rationally exploring the world's greatest mysteries even if many of the questions remain unanswered. Foreword by Stephen Jay Gould. 20 illustrations. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

In this comprehensive and provocative work, bestselling author Michael Shermer explores how beliefs are born, formed, reinforced, challenged, changed, and extinguished. Drawing on thirty years of research, Shermer, a psychologist and historian of science, challenges traditional views on belief formation. He posits that beliefs come first, with explanations following. The brain acts as a belief engine, processing sensory data to identify patterns and infusing them with meaning. These patterns evolve into beliefs, which the brain then seeks to confirm, creating a positive-feedback loop that reinforces them. Shermer details the cognitive tools our brains use to treat these beliefs as truths. Throughout the narrative, he offers numerous real-world examples from various domains, including politics, economics, religion, conspiracy theories, the supernatural, and the paranormal. Ultimately, he argues that science is the most effective means of assessing whether a belief aligns with reality.

Exploring the evolution of morality, this work delves into the intersection of science and philosophy, presenting a thorough investigation into how moral principles have developed over time. The author, a bestselling writer, provides insights that are both accessible and thought-provoking, making complex ideas understandable. This book is recognized for its engaging narrative and depth of analysis, appealing to readers interested in the foundations of ethical behavior and the human experience.

This book is for all readers who care about science and reason, humanism and secularism, the progress of humanity, and the advancement of morals and values. It also advocates for the protection and continued expansion of human rights, such as civil rights, women's rights, LGBT+ rights, and animal rights.