Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically: to ask why—and how—it has shaped so many lives so strongly. Is religion a product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Is it truly the best way to...
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For all the thousands of books that have been written about religion, few until this one have attempted to examine it scientifically: to ask why—and how—it has shaped so many lives so strongly. Is religion a product of blind evolutionary instinct or rational choice? Is it truly the best way to live a moral life? Ranging through biology, history, and psychology, Daniel C. Dennett charts religion’s evolution from “wild” folk belief to “domesticated” dogma. Not an antireligious screed but an unblinking look beneath the veil of orthodoxy, Breaking the Spell will be read and debated by believers and skeptics alike.
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Format: paperback
ISBN:
9780143038337 (0143038338)
ASIN: 143038338
Publish date: February 6th 2007
Publisher: Penguin
Pages no: 464
Edition language: English
Category:
Non Fiction,
Science,
Biology,
Religion,
Philosophy,
Sociology,
Psychology,
Theology,
Evolution,
Atheism,
Skepticism
A very measured, gentle, and thoughtful call for greater study of religion as a natural phenomenon. For those that find Dawkins too "strident" or for those that are still religious, Dennet's book is highly recommended.
Dennett initially spends time justifying the reasons for this book, probably over-doing it a bit as not to offend too many potential readers. Once he is over that however it does get more interesting. The exploration of religion as a meme (or group of memes) is what struck me as most fascinating (an...
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