Modern Science and the Nature of Life, by William S. Beck
Reviewed by Cliff Slaughter
1958Labour ReviewCliff Slaughter Read the scan at ETOL (PDF) →Read from the scan by machine and not corrected: words can be misread, and the end of one piece can run into the next. For anything you quote, read the scan.
[p033] _ Modern Science and the Nature of Life, by William S. Beck (Macmillan, 15s.) IT is refreshing to find an intelligent book on a scientific sub- ject which is also both intelligible and interesting. Dr Beck propounds his views on the unity of science and culture, discusses the methods of science, outlines some major trends in the history of biology and raises questions on future de- velopments in the science, all with clarity and wit. On the way he describes the great controversy over ‘spontaneous generation’, some questions concerning the theory of evolution, and the investigations into the origin and nature of life. Throughout, the author strives to maintain a consistent materialist outlook, without falling into the traps which -mechanical thinkers cannot escape. In a science where irra- tional, mystical and superstitious views abound, Dr Beck turns a sceptical spotlight on these remnants of magic. CS. Crime in Croydon