Ockham's Razor: The Search for Wonder in an Age of Doubt

I decided to get Ockham's Razor after reading Wade Rowland's most recent book "Galileo's Mistake". Rowland's entertaining travel narrative mixes philosophical speculation with commentary about the food, architecture and art of France. If you've ever been to France or longed to visit, then you'll enjoy this book's combination of travel writing, philosophy and history. But be prepared, this book will make you question the values at the very heart of contemporary thought. Rowland's Ockham's Razor often reminded me of Robert Pirsig's eccentric 1970s classic, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.I was curious about Rowland's background and so I visited his official author website and learned he has a doctorate in culture and communication, and a masters in philosophy. It shows, as both of his books that I've read have been well-researched and clearly written.

This book suggests that modern society is on the wrong track, and has been for at least 500 years - a startling and ambitious premise. A very interesting and provocative read, some of it misses, but much of it redounds. The distinctions between scientific and 'transactional' thought are useful and probing. The book not only deconstructs our notions of progress through science, but opens up other possibilities.

"Part travelogue, part philosophical treatise, part random musing -- perhaps it's more helpful to call it equal parts Plato, Robert Pirsig and Peter Mayle - it is a book of metaphysical rummaging, of thoughtful meandering." Globe and Mail newspaper "delightful travel book-cum-philosophical exploration that will remind the reader of Robert Pirsig's eccentric 1970s classic, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." Bronwyn Drainie, Author and critic"In the tradition of Stephen Jay Gould and John Ralston Saul, Rowland's reasoned observations are a much-needed tonic." Chapters review"This beautiful book tells us about values and about how important it is that we get back to them over and beyond our trust in science and rationality. Paradoxically, Ockham's Razor has healing power." Derrick de Kerchkhove, Director of the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology "This book makes us question the values at the very heart of contemporary thought." Norm Bolen, History Television