Science

Giving Reasons prepares students to think independently, evaluate information, and reason clearly across disciplines. Accessible to students and effective for instructors, it provides plain-English exercises, helpful appendices, and a variety of online supplements.

In the company of Felicity the cat, discover the phases of the moon, the constellations and how to spot the Northern Lights and the Milky Way.

An original and comprehensive look at what it is we seek when we set off on an adventure abroad - and at how we can travel better, so that our experiences overseas become truly transformative and memorable.

A series of conversations about science in graphic form, on subjects that range from the science of cooking to the multiverse.Physicist Clifford Johnson thinks that we should have more conversations about science. Science should be on our daily conversation menu, along with topics like politics, books, sports, or the latest prestige cable drama. Conversations about science, he tells us, shouldn't be left to the experts. In The Dialogues, Johnson invites us to eavesdrop on a series of nine conversations, in graphic-novel form—written and drawn by Johnson—about "the nature of the universe.” The conversations take place all over the world, in museums, on trains, in restaurants, in what may or may not be Freud's favorite coffeehouse. The conversationalists are men, women, children, experts, and amateur science buffs. The topics of their conversations range from the science of cooking to the multiverse and string theory. The graphic form is especially suited for physics; one drawing can show what it would take many words to explain.In the first conversation, a couple meets at a costume party; they speculate about a scientist with superhero powers who doesn't use them to fight crime but to do more science, and they discuss what it means to have a "beautiful equation” in science. Their conversation spills into another chapter ("Hold on, you haven't told me about light yet”), and in a third chapter they exchange phone numbers. Another couple meets on a train and discusses immortality, time, black holes, and religion. A brother and sister experiment with a grain of rice. Two women sit in a sunny courtyard and discuss the multiverse, quantum gravity, and the anthropic principle. After reading these conversations, we are ready to start our own.

This widely-used and time-tested textbook is indispensable for teachers and students of quantum mechanics, one of the essential foundations of modern physics. It is also useful as a reference for those in related fields (engineering, mathematics, chemistry), or for self-study by non-professionals.

"A Natural History of Human Morality" offers the most detailed account to date of the evolution of human moral psychology. Based on extensive experimental data comparing great apes and human children, Michael Tomasello reconstructs how early humans gradually became an ultra-cooperative and, eventually, a moral species. There were two key evolutionary steps, each founded on a new way that individuals could act together as a plural agent "we". The first step occurred as ecological challenges forced early humans to forage together collaboratively or die. To coordinate these collaborative activities, humans evolved cognitive skills of joint intentionality, ensuring that both partners knew together the normative standards governing each role. To reduce risk, individuals could make an explicit joint commitment that "we" forage together and share the spoils together as equally deserving partners, based on shared senses of trust, respect, and responsibility. The second step occurred as human populations grew and the division of labor became more complex. Distinct cultural groups emerged that demanded from members loyalty, conformity, and cultural identity. In becoming members of a new cultural "we", modern humans evolved cognitive skills of collective intentionality, resulting in culturally created and objectified norms of right and wrong that everyone in the group saw as legitimate morals for anyone who would be one of "us". As a result of this two-stage process, contemporary humans possess both a second-personal morality for face-to-face engagement with individuals and a group-minded "objective" morality that obliges them to the moral community as a whole.

E. M. Cioran (1911-1995) was one of Central Europe's most remarkable philosophers, author of what William Gass called romances on 'alienation, absurdity, boredom, futility, decay, the tyranny of history, the vulgarities of change, awareness as agony, reason as disease'. A Romanian, he lived much of his life in Paris and many of his major works were written in French, including A Short History of Decay, The Trouble with Being Born and Drawn and Quartered.

The Sixth Edition of Robert K. Yin's bestseller provides a complete portal to the world of case study research.

Why did a group of teenagers watch a friend die instead of putting their own reputations at risk? Why did a top White House official decide to come clean and accept a prison sentence during Watergate? Why did a finance executive turn down millions out of respect for her employer? Why are some willing to risk their futures to uphold principles? What gives us the strength to stand up for what we believe?As these questions suggest, the topic of moral courage is front and center in today's culture. Enron, Arthur Andersen, the U.S. Olympic Committee, abusive priests, cheating students, domestic violence -- all these remind us that taking ethical stands should be a higher priority in our culture. Why, when people discern wrongdoing, are they sometimes unready, unable, or unwilling to act?In a book rich with examples, Rushworth Kidder reveals that moral courage is the bridge between talking ethics and doing ethics. Defining it as a readiness to endure danger for the sake of principle, he explains that the courage to act is found at the intersection of three elements: action based on core values, awareness of the risks, and a willingness to endure necessary hardship. By exploring how moral courage spurs us to strive for core values, he demonstrates the benefits of ethical action to the individual and to society -- and the severe consequences that can result from remaining morally dormant.Moral Courage puts indispensable concepts and tools into our hands, equipping us to respond to the increasingly complicated moral challenges we face at work, at home, and in our communities. It enables us to make clear, confident decisions by exploring some litmus-test questions:Is the benefit worth the risk?Am I motivated by my desire to uphold my beliefs or just to impose them on others?Will my actions create collateral damage among those with no stake in the outcome? While physical courage may no longer be a necessary survival skill or an essential rite of passage out of childhood, few would dispute the growing need for moral courage as the true gauge of maturity. Treating this subject not as an esoteric branch of philosophy but as a practical necessity for modern life, Kidder deftly leads us to a clear understanding of what moral courage is, what it does, and how to get it.

The 40th anniversary edition of the million copy international bestseller, with a new epilogue from the author. As relevant and influential today as when it was first published, this classic exposition of evolutionary thought, widely hailed for its stylistic brilliance and deep scientific insights, stimulated whole new areas of research.

Methods for a humane and self-chosen death. The aim of this book is to stimulate communication between very ill or very old persons and their relatives. The hope is to give them some peace of mind when they have a well-considered and unwavering wish to die, even after discussing this wish with loved ones. This peace of mind will come from the knowledge that they can take control of such an intimate process as their own death.

A concise introduction to the richness and scope of interviewing in social science research, teaching the craft of interview research with practical, hands-on guidance.

Breathtaking images of the planets of the solar system, as captured by the pioneering missions of NASA.

Michael Swanson's online discussions with literally thousands of NexStar owners made it clear that there was a desperate need for a book such as this - one that provides a complete, detailed guide to buying, using and maintaining NexStar telescopes.

'Into the Light' - Raising the Global Vibration is a channelled exploration of the path to enlightenment and the future of global consciousness offering answers to some of the most fundamental spiritual questions we have today. Jerry will share with you his vision of a new earth and how we can raise the vibration on this planet by re-connecting with the authentic essence of all life. The passion and inspiration will shine through and your vibration will lift as you unlock a part of you that is full of strength, power, purity and energy.People across the world are experiencing a spiritual shift as part of an evolutionary growth in global consciousness. Now, more than ever people are yearning for the answers such as why am I here? What is the meaning of life and what lies beyond? 'Into the Light' will give the answers you're looking for and so much more; covering past life regression, the make-up of the universe, the key to inner peace, the truth about extra-terrestrials, the afterlife and a first-hand narrative of Jerry's own spiritual awakening.An exciting, interesting and enlightening journey told through the channelled words of the Angel-Gabriel by author Jerry Sargeant.

Explore the physics behind the world of Star Wars, perfect for every Star Wars fan!

Originally published: New York: E.P. Dutton, 1975.

Aimed at students, scientists, engineers, and professionals, this definitive textbook provides an introduction to the scientific principles governing the flow of energy from sources such as solar power, wind power, nuclear power, and fossil fuels, through engines and electric grids, to end uses ranging from automobiles to air conditioners.

Many student private pilots don’t realize at the start of their training course that many hours of study are required on top of the in-class schedule. This book will help those trainee pilots without science backgrounds, or those that need a refresher, to brush up on the necessary theory.  It covers subjects that will be encountered many times during the PPL course, such as principles of flight, aircraft general knowledge, flight performance and planning, meteorology, navigation and human factors.  The content is organized around two main groups of information, namely core knowledge, concentrating more on the concepts; and a practical toolbox, dedicated to some techniques that will be required during the course. 

Written by the Buddhist meditation master and popular international speaker, this book clarifies the majestic vision of life and death that underlies the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It includes a complete introduction to the practice of meditation, as well as advice on how to care for the dying with love and compassion.