Evolutionary biologist and best-selling author, Professor Richard Dawkins confronts what he sees as an epidemic of irrational, superstitious thinking in belief systems from astrology to New Age mysticism, clairvoyance to alternative health remedies. In this two-part documentary he explains the dangers the pick and mix of knowledge and nonsense poses in the internet age, and passionately re-states the case for reason and science.
Part One - The Irrational Health Service: Professor Dawkins looks at how health has become a battleground between reason and superstition. A third of us now spend a total of over $1.6 billion a year on superstitious alternative remedies, but 80 per cent of them have never been subjected to properly conducted trials.
Part Two - Slaves to Superstition: Professor Dawkins tackles the epidemic of irrational, superstitious thinking which is blotting the light of logic and evidence. After garnering tips on psychics' entirely earthly trade secrets from the illusionist Derren Brown, Dawkins attends a seance and confronts the medium. Time and again, the interviewees appeal to personal revelation or second-hand anecdote to justify their belief.
Reasoned, researched and authoritative, Professor Richard Dawkins provides a rational person's guide to the world.