Transaction Publishers Announces New Book That Analyzes Science, Logic and Irrational Beliefs Systems

Piscataway, NJ, April 16, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Why do people accept ideas that science or logic contradict? In Implausible Beliefs, Allan Mazur offers a comparative look at the nature of irrational belief systems, their social roots and their cultural and political impact. He provides standards for judging implausible beliefs and assesses the scope of the problem in the United States with respect to politics and social policy. He applies “commonsense” criteria for belief in implausibility to the Bible, astrology, and visitation to earth of intelligent beings from other worlds, and attempts to explain why most people accept implausibilities despite evidence and logic that refute them.

—Lucidly written, Implausible Beliefs is a provocative and informative contribution to the literature of social psychology, sociology, religion, political science, and American studies.

—Implausible Beliefs differs from most current books on the subject by analyzing the overarching similarity of religious and secular belief systems. It begins by putting the structure of belief in historical terms.

"A provocative examination and response to the question: Why do so many Americans accept weird beliefs—from the Bible and astrology to UFOlogy?...an engaging inquiry." —Paul Kurtz, Emeritus, State University of New York at Buffalo, and Chairman, Center for Inquiry

About the author:
Allan Mazur is professor of public affairs at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University. He has taught at MIT and Stanford University and earlier worked in the aerospace industry. Elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, he is interested in biosociology, research methods, and in social conflicts over science, technology, and the environment.

To order a copy of Implausible Beliefs contact Transaction Publishers at 888-999-6778 or order online at www.transactionpub.com.

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