"A lively manifesto...For the discipline's specific application to the matter at hand, I've seen nothing that matches the fury of The "God" Part of...
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Dec 17, 2009
Joseph
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The book opens as the author’s personal quest to uncover the meaning behind, and origin of, the posited cross-cultural impulse to religiosity. As one can imagine, this endeavor might hardly not fit into one sole book, something especially notable in his one-chapter(!) summary of the history of the universe, but Alper makes it work in an accessibly simple manner, to the delight of this non-scientifically-oriented reviewer.
His thesis, namely that religious belief surfaced in humans as More...
His thesis, namely that religious belief surfaced in humans as More...
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Jan 10, 2012
Tony61
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Borders on excellent. This is a book-length essay with references to support the author's point of view. Easy to read and covers topics about neuroscience in enough detail to make it interesting but accessible to the lay person. Alper begins by reviewing how we have come to our understanding of physics, chemistry and biology-- very accurate and well-written. He continues by discussing the brain and how our proclivities toward God-belief are hard-wired into our biology. His ideas about sociobiolo
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Nov 12, 2010
Broodingferret
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What a disappointing book. I was expecting a broad, albeit necessarily simplified, summary of the brain research that has gone into uncovering the neurological activities and regions that are involved in religious experiences (and there is quite a bit), but instead I got yet another psuedophilosopher who apparently thinks that speed-reading a handful of science books qualifies him as widely educated (spoiler: it does not; see Designer Evolution: A Transhumanist Manifesto for another example of
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Apr 18, 2010
Ed
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This book was written in 1996 when knowledge of the brain was a bit less advanced so his hypothesis is not as neurally specific as it might be if he wrote it today. He postulates that the religious and spiritual instincts that lead to believe in God and the afterlife are an evolutionary adaptation on the part of a species that became smart enough to have an ego and realize that this ego would die. So there were evolutionary advantages to belief in God and hereafter. as well as tying this to mora
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Mar 23, 2011
Jack
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This book it pretty good, it has some pros and cons such as:
Pro, Difficult ideas are made pretty easy to understand, and a good place to find a biological base point for any religion.
Con: really only explores one theory.
The book basically begins with a brief summary of evolution (what argument that did not denounce the existence of a supreme being would be complete without some sort of recognition of evolution?) I found this short (in relation to the amount of years it took for More...
Pro, Difficult ideas are made pretty easy to understand, and a good place to find a biological base point for any religion.
Con: really only explores one theory.
The book basically begins with a brief summary of evolution (what argument that did not denounce the existence of a supreme being would be complete without some sort of recognition of evolution?) I found this short (in relation to the amount of years it took for More...
Jan 23, 2012
Marc
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Very disappointing. I was hoping for scientific evidence to answer the question whether some or all God/religious experiences are formed inside our brain or not, but this is the personal quest of the author whether it would make sense for him to belief in the existence of a supernatural being, which presumably is interesting to read if you're the author.
Alper does not have a scientific background, and gets his information from reading (popularised) books and articles by scientists f More...
Alper does not have a scientific background, and gets his information from reading (popularised) books and articles by scientists f More...
Aug 16, 2011
Adrianne
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It was a newspaper list of book recommendations by one of my favorite authors, that talked me into buying and reading this book [in its greek translation - ISBN:978-960-410-480-2]. This was back in 2009. The book is not on my shelves any more, it's been one of the books I bookcrossed as soon as finished it.
What do I remember from it three years after giving it away? God is hardwired in human brains. No particular areas have been located in the human brain for God related activity, God is r More...
What do I remember from it three years after giving it away? God is hardwired in human brains. No particular areas have been located in the human brain for God related activity, God is r More...
Aug 20, 2011
Kelli
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This book expressed something I always had a feeling about but could never adequately put into words. I knew religion could be beneficial to healing/ normal mental health, but never really bought into the whole premise. I found it to be a little repetitive, but I have an extensive background in Biology. I believe Alper does a superb job explaining the addressed evolutionary principles. It does give one a sense of hopelessness to think about the finality of death without the promise of an afterli
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Dec 12, 2011
broken6string
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Thought-provoking book, and directly applicable to personal reflections.
Alper writes that since every known culture throughout the history of humanity has exhibited a belief in God or in in gods, that such beliefs can be classified as universal traits or behaviors and, as such, must be genetically encoded in us. While defending the position that universal traits and behaviors must be inherited and not learned, he hypothesizes that spirituality evolved for the same reason that other More...
Alper writes that since every known culture throughout the history of humanity has exhibited a belief in God or in in gods, that such beliefs can be classified as universal traits or behaviors and, as such, must be genetically encoded in us. While defending the position that universal traits and behaviors must be inherited and not learned, he hypothesizes that spirituality evolved for the same reason that other More...
Oct 06, 2010
Classic
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Dec 30, 2010
Sam
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“What other molecular entity possesses the capacity to laugh; to love; to ponder its own existence; to appreciate works of music, art, literature; to aspire, to hope, to dream? Even if it should turn out that we are just spiritless atoms cavorting in the void, we are still matter’s paramount form, the height of its complexity, its crème de la crème--nature’s chosen macromolecules.” -Alper
Jun 29, 2011
Addie
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Excellent! Alper, a philosopher, thoroughly explains biotheology, the biological, scientific explanation of why people are religious and spiritual. He does a great job of building on others' work (Jung, Campbell, etc.) and pulling all their thoughts together (from philosophy, psychology, science, sociology, sociobiology, etc.) into one concise, well-organized book. It's fascinating & well-written! I actually liked this book much better than The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins or God is Not Great
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Dec 11, 2010
Saeed
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I have started reading this book a few days ago. In the first two chapters the author is laying the groundwork of self-evolving life on planet earth as a combination of hydrogen and oxygen.
I am looking forward to further reading, especially how priesthood role is defined for dependence ,on God for their lifelihood.
I am looking forward to further reading, especially how priesthood role is defined for dependence ,on God for their lifelihood.
Oct 18, 2009
Sherm
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The best thing about this book is Alper's explanation of why the United States is an outlier among first world countries in terms of religious belief. His thesis is that religion has a genetic basis, the U.S. was founded by religious fanatics, and about 40% of the current population is descended from those fanatics.
Apr 17, 2009
Nicole
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This book is awesome. There is a small area of the limbic system in the brain where humans identify and experience god or any other spiritual feelings. Just because you can't see god doesn't mean you can't see how thinking about god changes (with neuroplasticity) the brain.
Apr 27, 2011
Angela
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An interesting read to those who want another avenue to the question of Where did God come from. I respect Mr. Alper for his time of research and deep investigation using the Scientific Method to render himself and answer to the age old question "Is there truly a God". I am open to all opinion on this subject and his is one of worth and credit. I am of faith, and I must admit that with all Mr. Apler offers in his book, my faith remains. However, a new light has illuminated my origi
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Mar 15, 2010
Sarah
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I found it extremely pedantic, even considering what a short book it was. good book for ignorant people who've never taken an anth class. useless for the rest of us.
Nov 24, 2010
Patti
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This book blew my mind. I do feel like he made a bit of a leap in his logic here and there, but his overall argument is incredibly difficult to dismiss.
I came to this book with a compatible philosophy, so for me it gave a very satisfying clarity to my current belief system. I would be interested in talking to a person of faith who has read this book, but I wouldn't want to be the one to suggest they read it. (I read a review of this book by someone on Amazon who said it actually sent More...
I came to this book with a compatible philosophy, so for me it gave a very satisfying clarity to my current belief system. I would be interested in talking to a person of faith who has read this book, but I wouldn't want to be the one to suggest they read it. (I read a review of this book by someone on Amazon who said it actually sent More...
Apr 12, 2010
Danny
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This is a very good book. It's highly scientific (a difficult read for some), but fascinating at parts.
Jun 03, 2011
Sabrina
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One of my favorite books on philosophy. The theory he sets forth makes complete sense.
Sep 16, 2009
Sandy
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Wonderful evolution of the brain with religious basis. One of my 2008 favorites.
Apr 13, 2010
Katie
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This book attempts to “biologize” religion. Alper explains spirituality as an evolutionary trait, in a fascinating & compelling argument, and written in a clear and concise manner. Anyone interested in gaining self knowledge, or if you’ve ever questioned religion or your spiritual nature, you will enjoy this book. Truly changed my way of thinking.
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 11, 2012
