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Things should be made as simple as possible, but no
simpler.
A. Einstein
The Five Biggest Ideas in
Science boils all of science down to five important ideas, which are sandwiched
between discussions of the scientific method. I found it
engaging, but generally felt that the authors were talking
down to their audience. This was particularly egregious at
the beginning of Chapter 4, in which several incorrect ideas
of the shape and composition of the earth were presented
with audible sniggers.
While The Five Biggest Ideas in
Science seems intended as a textbook for "science literacy" courses,
the theme is the scientific method itself. No opportunity is
lost to use the "five ideas" as springboards to discussions of
the character of the scientific enterprise. The last chapter is
a detailed presentation of riskbenefit analysis, with
several examples. This chapter, coupled with the discussion of
the scientific method and the forty "idea folders" that
present one-page blurbs on specific aspects of the topics
discussed, are invaluable.
By and large, Wynn and Wiggins successfully tread
the fine line pointed out by Einstein. The Five Biggest Ideas
in Science is suitable as a text or companion to a
one-term high-school or college science literacy course. Its most
valuable aspects are its discussion of the scientific method
and its engaging style.
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