The New Inquisition

The New Inquisition examines the rigid dogmatism Wilson perceives in modern scientific institutions. The book challenges the established scientific community's approach to investigating paranormal claims and unconventional theories. Wilson draws parallels between religious fundamentalism and what he terms "Fundamentalist Materialism" in science. He takes aim at organizations like the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, arguing that they dismiss new ideas without proper investigation. The text proposes an alternative approach to scientific investigation based on skepticism and intellectual flexibility. Wilson outlines a methodology that neither fully accepts nor completely rejects new concepts, instead treating scientific models as tools to be used where appropriate. The book stands as a critique of institutional science while advocating for a more open-minded approach to knowledge and discovery. Its arguments about dogmatism in scientific thinking remain relevant to current debates about the nature of scientific inquiry and the evaluation of unconventional ideas.

Readers describe this as a critique of scientific materialism and dogmatic thinking, with Wilson challenging both religious and scientific fundamentalism. The book presents ideas about quantum mechanics, multiple realities, and skepticism of absolute certainty. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of complex scientific concepts - Humor and wit throughout serious topics - Arguments against rigid thinking in science - Connection between quantum physics and everyday perception Common criticisms: - Repetitive arguments - Dated cultural references - Some readers found the writing style rambling - Several note it's not as strong as Wilson's other works One reader noted: "Makes valid points about scientific materialism but gets lost in its own metaphors" Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (447 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Several reviewers mention this book works better as an introduction to Wilson's ideas rather than a standalone work on scientific materialism.

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn Examines how scientific paradigms shift and resist change within established institutions.

Science Set Free by Rupert Sheldrake Challenges ten core assumptions in modern science and presents evidence for unexplained phenomena.

The Science Delusion by Curtis White Critiques scientific materialism and its influence on culture and thought.

Against Method by Paul Feyerabend Presents arguments against fixed scientific methods and advocates for theoretical anarchism in research.

Wholeness and the Implicate Order by David Bohm Proposes a new framework for understanding reality that bridges mechanistic science and broader human experience.

🔍 Wilson wrote this book partly in response to his own experiences with the Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP), which he felt had unfairly dismissed his research. 🧪 The title is a deliberate parallel to the historical Inquisition, suggesting modern scientific institutions sometimes suppress new ideas with similar dogmatic fervor. 📚 Despite critiquing scientific materialism, Wilson was a strong advocate for scientific methods - he simply argued for their application with more openness to unusual phenomena. 🌟 The book introduces the concept of "reality tunnels" - the idea that our beliefs and assumptions filter our perception of reality, affecting even supposedly objective scientific observations. 🎓 Many concepts in the book were influenced by Wilson's studies of General Semantics, a field developed by Alfred Korzybski that examines how language shapes human thought and behavior.