Prove It

A Scientific Guide for the Post-Truth Era

Elizabeth Finkel

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English

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY PRESS
12 August 2025

Philosophy; Philosophy of science

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A compelling journey through science's big breakthroughs, by an award-winning Australian science writer

Humans developed the scientific method over centuries. Its departure from what came before was that theories should be fuelled by data, not opinion. Today, the institutions that underpin democracy - the law, academia, government, journalism - all rely on its central idea- seeking facts and interrogating them through robust discussion and real-world testing. Yet in the post-truth era, public conversations can feel far from scientific.

In Prove It, Elizabeth Finkel describes how the scientific method plays out in a series of controversies, from proving the existence of Einstein's gravitational waves to identifying the origins of Covid-19, from understanding human origins to defining consciousness. Through these tales of dispute and discovery, she breaks down the key elements of scientific thinking.

Full of politics, prejudice, obsession, heroism and eccentricity, Prove It captures the drama and excitement of scientific discovery and debate and argues compellingly that its lessons are more crucial now than ever.

'From DNA to consciousness, blackholes to randomised trials, Elizabeth Finkel brings science to life. Brimming with insights, this book is a rallying cry for reason. Evidence and data have shaped our world for the better, and we ignore them at our peril.' - Andrew Leigh, member of Australian Parliament and author of The Shortest History of Economics

'An immensely powerful read, Prove It reminds us that human progress is anchored in frank and fearless debate in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. This book is for anyone who believes in an evidence-based, expert-informed approach to life.' - Professor Katie Allen, University of Melbourne

By: Elizabeth Finkel
Imprint: LA TROBE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 233mm, Width: 153mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 428g
ISBN: 9781760642716
ISBN 10: 1760642711
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 12 August 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Elizabeth Finkel holds a PhD in biochemistry and spent ten years as a research scientist before becoming an award-winning journalist and author of The Genome Generation, among other books. She is a founding editor of Cosmos magazine and a regular contributor to the US magazine Science, Radio National's Science Show and The Monthly. Her awards include a Queensland Premier's Literary Award for Stem Cells- Controversy at the Frontiers of Science, the National Press Club's award for Higher Education Journalist of the Year and the Eureka Award for Science Journalism. Her forthcoming book is Proof- Science Lessons for the Post-Truth Era.