Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan’s Secular Scientific Spirit
An OLLI course at the Reuter Center (UNCA)
Spring 2023 (March 30-May 4)
Course Description:
Eminent astronomer and author Carl Sagan (of “Cosmos” fame) was a popular interpreter of science and skepticism. His work on the Voyager spacecraft parallels his exploratory voyages into matters of religion. In this class we will venture with Sagan on his journeys to the far reaches of reason and belief. With a freethinker’s framework, we will engage his most creative questions that impact the future of both science and religion.
Recommended Texts: The Demon-haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark; The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God
Week One: (March 30): Introduction to the Life and Work of Carl Sagan
Screen: Sagan images
Video: “We are children of the stars”
Week Two: A Scientist’s Search for God/Supernatural
Authority, Natural Theology and Revelation
Video: “Center of the Universe” (“Lost Lecture” at Cornell)
Week Three: Candles of Critical Thinking Confronting the Demons of the Dark
Scientific Method // Religious Method
Superstition and Pseudoscience
Video: Professor Dave: Astrology
Video: Pale Blue Dot (from Carl Sagan.com)
Week Four: Nones & Nonsense: Calling Baloney Baloney
UFOs, Miracles and Skeptical Scrutiny
Video: Baloney Detection Kit (Shermer)
Video: Skepticism (last interview 1996)
Week Five: Ann Druyan and Sasha Sagan: The Next Generation
Video: Tyson on Cosmos (S1 E1)
Video: Conversation with Nick Sagan
Video: Sasha Sagan at Planetary Society
Video: Ann Druyan speech at FFRF, Boston, 2021 (26:00)
Video: Sasha Sagan (2:30-17:40)
Week Six: (May 4): Contact: is there intelligent life. . .on earth?
Beyond the Boundaries of Belief
James Webb Telescope Images
The Cosmic Calendar (Cosmos)
Video: Star Trek (Voyager opening)
Sagan on the Future of Humanity (Cosmos)
Friendly Freethinker 