Michael Shermer

Michael Shermer
Shermer in 2007
Born (1954-09-08) September 8, 1954 (age 70)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationPepperdine University (BA)
California State University, Fullerton (MA)
Claremont Graduate University (PhD)
Occupation(s)writer, historian of science, editor
TitleEditor-in-chief of Skeptic, adjunct professor at Chapman University
WebsiteOfficial website
Signature

Michael Brant Shermer (born September 8, 1954) is an American science writer, historian of science, executive director of The Skeptics Society, and founding publisher[1] of Skeptic magazine, a publication focused on investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims.[2] The author of over a dozen books, Shermer is known for engaging in debates on pseudoscience and religion in which he emphasizes scientific skepticism.

Shermer was the co-producer and co-host of Exploring the Unknown,[3][4] a 13-hour Fox Family television series broadcast in 1999. From April 2001 to January 2019,[5] he contributed a monthly Skeptic column to Scientific American magazine.

Shermer was raised in a non-religious household,[6][7] before converting to Christian fundamentalism as a teenager.[8] He stopped believing in God during graduate school,[7][9] influenced by a traumatic accident that left his then-girlfriend paralyzed.[10] He identifies as an agnostic and an atheist,[11][12][13] but prefers "skeptic".[14][13] He also advocates for humanism.[15][16] Shermer became an Internet-ordained clergyman in the Universal Life Church and has performed weddings.[17]

  1. ^ Martelle, Scott (May 2, 2011). "America's Skeptic Laureate: A Profile of Michael Shermer". PublishersWeekly. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
  2. ^ Mouallem, Omar (August 27, 2008). "Making a living of bullshit detecting". VUE Weekly.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference WisconsinRadio was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Does Science Refute God?". NPR. December 11, 2012. Retrieved 2021-11-06.
  5. ^ Michael Shermer. "Dr. Michael Shermer – Ask Me Anything # 2". Skeptic.com (Podcast). The Skeptics Society. Event occurs at 5:35. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  6. ^ Curry, Eugene A. (April 2012). "The Disbelieving Michael Shermer: A Review Essay of Michael Shermer's The Believing Brain" (PDF). The Journal of the International Society of Christian Apologetics. 5 (1). Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  7. ^ a b Elder, Robert K. (6 April 2006). "Skeptic Shermer's disbelief is science-based". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  8. ^ Koukl, Greg; Shermer, Michael (31 December 2009). "Greg Koukl and Michael Shermer at the End of the Decade of the New Atheists". www.str.org. Stand to Reason. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  9. ^ Martelle, Scott (2 May 2011). "America's Skeptic Laureate: A Profile of Michael Shermer". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference WallStreetJournal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Shermer, Michael (2002). Why People Believe Weird Things. Henry Holt. p. 136
  12. ^ Stossel, John. Stossel. December 16, 2010 Fox Business Channel.
  13. ^ a b Shermer, Michael (June 2005). "Why I Am An Atheist". michaelshermer.com
  14. ^ Manuel, Brad (12 May 2020). "Book Review: The Believing Brain by Michael Shermer". RSG Performance. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Humanist Manifesto III Public Signers". American Humanist Association. 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-10-05. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  16. ^ Shermer, Michael (January 2011). "The Science of Right and Wrong". michaelshermer.com
  17. ^ "EQUAL TIME ALL THE TIME FOR EVERYONE". e-Skeptic magazine. Archived from the original on October 15, 2002. Retrieved 2002-10-15. Alt URL