Wild Experiment: Feeling Science and Secularism after Darwin

Donovan O. Schaefer's book Wild Experiment challenges the conventional wisdom that feeling and thinking are separate, reconceptualizing rationality as defined by affective processes at every level. He introduces the model of "cogency theory" to reconsider the relationship between evolutionary biology and secularism, examining mid-nineteenth-century Darwinian controversies, the 1925 Scopes Trial, and the New Atheist movement of the 2000s. These case studies locate the intersection of thinking and feeling in the way scientific rationality balances excited discovery with anxious scrutiny, the fascination of conspiracy theories, and how racist feelings assume the mantle of rational objectivity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2022
Publisher: Duke University Press

In his groundbreaking work, "Wild Experiment," Donovan O. Schaefer takes a bold stance against the conventional notion that feeling and thinking are distinct entities. Drawing upon a diverse range of disciplines, including science studies, philosophy, affect theory, secularism studies, psychology, and contemporary literary criticism, Schaefer reimagines rationality as inherently shaped by affective processes at every level. He introduces the concept of "cogency theory" to explore the intricate relationship between evolutionary biology and secularism, delving into historical controversies such as the mid-nineteenth-century debates surrounding Darwinian theory, the infamous 1925 Scopes Trial, and the rise of the New Atheist movement in the 2000s. Throughout his exploration, Schaefer also examines a wide array of related topics, including secular architecture at Oxford, American eugenics, and contemporary climate denialism. These case studies serve as poignant examples of how thinking and feeling intertwine in the realm of scientific rationality, as it navigates the balance between exhilarating discovery and anxious scrutiny, the allure of conspiracy theories, and the pernicious influence of racist sentiments masquerading as rational objectivity.

Schaefer's central argument is that cognition is not merely an intellectual exercise but is deeply intertwined with emotional experiences. He demonstrates that the fact that cognition is felt is both the source of science's success and its downfall. By recognizing the emotional dimension of rationality, Schaefer argues that science, secularism, atheism, and reason themselves cannot be separated from feeling but are instead comprehensively defined by it.

In conclusion, "Wild Experiment" is a thought-provoking and paradigm-shifting work that challenges our preconceived notions of thinking and feeling. Through his interdisciplinary approach, Donovan O. Schaefer offers a fresh perspective on rationality, illuminating its emotional roots and its profound implications for our understanding of science, secularism, and the human condition. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complex interplay between mind, body, and society.

Weight: 462g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478018254