📖 Overview
Norman Levitt (1943-2009) was an American mathematician and critic of postmodernism and social constructivism in science. As a professor at Rutgers University, he specialized in topology and became known for his vocal defense of scientific objectivity against what he viewed as anti-scientific trends in academia.
His most influential work was "Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with Science" (1994), co-authored with Paul R. Gross, which critiqued various forms of scientific relativism and challenged the cultural studies approach to scientific knowledge. The book generated significant controversy and became a key text in the Science Wars of the 1990s.
Levitt wrote several other books examining the relationship between science and society, including "Prometheus Bedeviled: Science and the Contradictions of Contemporary Culture" (1999). His work consistently emphasized the importance of maintaining rigorous scientific standards and resisting what he saw as ideologically-driven critiques of scientific methodology.
Beyond his academic work in mathematics, Levitt was a regular contributor to Skeptical Inquirer magazine and other publications where he continued his critique of pseudoscience and what he termed "academic leftism." His arguments helped shape debates about the nature of scientific truth and objectivity in contemporary academic discourse.
👀 Reviews
Readers see Levitt as a sharp but polarizing critic of postmodernist views on science. Reviews cluster around his "Higher Superstition" book.
Readers appreciated:
- Clear explanations of complex science-society conflicts
- Detailed examples exposing flaws in relativist arguments
- Strong defense of scientific method
- Humor and wit in addressing serious topics
Common criticisms:
- Overly aggressive tone toward opponents
- Dismissive treatment of valid social concerns
- Focus on extreme examples while ignoring moderate views
- Dense academic writing style
On Amazon, "Higher Superstition" maintains a 4.1/5 rating across 31 reviews. One reader called it "a necessary antidote to academic nonsense," while another found it "needlessly combative." Goodreads shows a 3.8/5 average from 89 ratings.
His later book "Prometheus Bedeviled" received fewer reviews but similar ratings, with readers noting its more measured approach while still criticizing its academic density.
(Note: Limited review data available for comprehensive analysis)
📚 Books by Norman Levitt
Higher Superstition: The Academic Left and Its Quarrels with Science (1994)
A critique of various academic movements that challenge scientific objectivity, including postmodernism, feminist theory, and cultural studies.
Prometheus Bedeviled: Science and the Contradictions of Contemporary Culture (1999) An examination of the tensions between scientific thinking and various social, cultural, and religious beliefs in modern society.
Why Professors Believe Weird Things (2000) An analysis of pseudoscientific beliefs and anti-scientific attitudes found within academia.
Mathematical Models in Biology (1981) A textbook covering fundamental concepts in mathematical biology and biological modeling.
The Flight from Science and Reason (1997) A collection of essays addressing the growing skepticism toward scientific methods and reasoning in contemporary culture.
Prometheus Bedeviled: Science and the Contradictions of Contemporary Culture (1999) An examination of the tensions between scientific thinking and various social, cultural, and religious beliefs in modern society.
Why Professors Believe Weird Things (2000) An analysis of pseudoscientific beliefs and anti-scientific attitudes found within academia.
Mathematical Models in Biology (1981) A textbook covering fundamental concepts in mathematical biology and biological modeling.
The Flight from Science and Reason (1997) A collection of essays addressing the growing skepticism toward scientific methods and reasoning in contemporary culture.
👥 Similar authors
Paul Gross writes about scientific skepticism and critiques postmodernist views of science, co-authoring "Higher Superstition" with Levitt. He focuses on defending scientific methodology against social constructivist interpretations.
Alan Sokal exposed weaknesses in cultural studies approaches to science through his famous hoax paper and subsequent analysis. He writes about the intersection of physics, philosophy, and scientific rationalism.
Philip Kitcher examines the relationship between science and society while defending scientific realism. His work addresses science denialism and the philosophical foundations of scientific practice.
Mario Bunge produces work on scientific realism and the philosophy of science from a materialist perspective. He critiques pseudoscience and challenges relativist interpretations of scientific knowledge.
Susan Haack writes about scientific epistemology and evidence-based inquiry while critiquing postmodernist approaches. She develops frameworks for understanding how scientific knowledge is established and validated.
Alan Sokal exposed weaknesses in cultural studies approaches to science through his famous hoax paper and subsequent analysis. He writes about the intersection of physics, philosophy, and scientific rationalism.
Philip Kitcher examines the relationship between science and society while defending scientific realism. His work addresses science denialism and the philosophical foundations of scientific practice.
Mario Bunge produces work on scientific realism and the philosophy of science from a materialist perspective. He critiques pseudoscience and challenges relativist interpretations of scientific knowledge.
Susan Haack writes about scientific epistemology and evidence-based inquiry while critiquing postmodernist approaches. She develops frameworks for understanding how scientific knowledge is established and validated.