The Human Story Behind Scientific Discovery (original) (raw)

2020, The Human Story Behind Scientific Discovery

The book by Joseph Jordania, award-winning ethnomusicologist and evolutionary musicologist from the University of Melbourne addresses questions usually neglected in works dedicated to the history of science. How is the existing system of education shaping future scholars? How do the politics of grants and funding science affect scholarly development? Why were some of the brightest figures of scientific progress not academically educated? How do universities influence scientific progress? How does the peer-review process advance or depress scientific discovery? Jordania tackles the thorny issues of scholarly integrity, reputation, and corruption. These topics fundamentally affect the everyday lives of thousands of scholars, both professional and non-professional, and have a profound influence on the advancement of science. Scholars about the book: “The Human Story Behind Scientific Discovery will be seen as one of the most important books of our time. It’s far-reaching, fascinating, and flawlessly truthful, with a message so unexpected that most readers will experience a tsunami of realization mixed with shock. It will change some of us and redirect others, and once you’ve read it, it will stay with you for life. Its truths cannot be ignored and are impossible to forget.” Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author, The Hidden Life of Dogs and The Hidden Life of Life “When was the last time you read a book that has a fresh idea or insight on almost every page? Joseph Jordania’s questioning and creative mind is well suited to describing the contributions made by passionate developers of new knowledge who in their time were considered outsiders, or mavericks, if they were considered at all. Jordania’s own unorthodox observations will move the reader to think ‹Hmm, That makes sense!›” Ellen Dissanayake, Author, What Is Art For? and Homo Aestheticus “A dazzling, inspirational tour de force. Joseph Jordania exceeds his goal of presenting the human dynamics of scientific discovery sketched by Popper, Kuhn, and Feyerabend. Not content to identify the malignant, pervasive barriers to the advancement of science, he provides an insightful, comprehensive guide to overcoming institutionalized resistance that will put heart into aspiring scholars, scientists, and seekers and challenge the gatekeepers and systems that hold back innovation.” Jenny Wade, author, Changes of Mind: A Holonomic Theory of the Evolution of Consciousness and Transcendent Sex: When Lovemaking Opens the Veil