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The Third Basic Instinct: How Religion Doesn't Get You
Alex S. Key's The Third Basic Instinct takes a thought-provoking look at the conflict between organized religion and human nature. While other creatures are driven to survive and reproduce, humans possess a crucial third instinct, which has been a force for scientific discovery, innovation, emotional intelligence... and the bane of organized religion. Winner of multiple awards, The Third Basic Instinct is a one-of-a-kind journey into the mind and religion--and the surprising dangers we unknowingly face.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 9, 2009
I had an affinity with this book. Alex Key has done his homework. His book, The Third Basic Instinct: How Religion Doesn’t Get You has a very powerful message delivered in a very straightforward way, citing examples from history, philosophy, popular culture and direct sources from the Bible, Quran, etc. I found the book fascinating in that the author tackled religious farce on so many different levels but always starting from a basic point: Our third basic instinct.
The three basic instincts the author describes are based on Alex Key’s years of study about the nature of man and his society. The first two basic instincts we share with all other living things and these deal with survival and reproduction. The third instinct sets us aside from our animal kin much more than the opposable thumbs: It is curiosity and learning. To Alex Keys it is this third instinct that created religion, to explain the unknowns in the world around us. And it is also this basic instinct that should do away with religion. The more we know and learn the less we need to attribute to the supernatural and myth, which essentially are what makes up religion.
Like the recent work by Christopher Hutchins, God is not Great, Alex Key sites numerous examples of how religion does grave disservices to mankind. Not only the many wars fought throughout history with religious beliefs and affiliations used as casus belli but also many cruelties, injustices, murders and the like perpetrated by the faithful in the name of their gods. Alex believes that these are against nature because it goes against natural selection and even though these acts are undertaken in the name of religion, they are grossly immoral acts.
Another very interesting part of this book was Alex Key’s description of what he called the “Platinum Rule”, as opposed to the Golden Rule that people all over the world have been raised to know (do unto others as you would have other do unto you). In Key’s Platinum Rule selfishness, in a long-term perspective, is actually a virtue as the benefits are in the future and tend to have positive effects on society. This is in direct opposition to short-term and short-sighted selfishness which benefits the few.
To give an example of what the author is trying to get across here for instance, let’s say we have two men, both with the aim to become rich. The first man has a short-term selfishness which leads him to lying, cheating, theft and other immoral behavior to get what he wants. On the other hand our second fellow has a long-term selfishness. This guy has a goal, makes a plan, gets and education, forms a company and earns lots of money. He puts off the need to have the money in his hands until later but in the interim he improves the world around him by creating wealth, employing workers, developing an industry, supporting his family and staying out of jail. Key believes the whole world would be much better off for teaching the Platinum Rule as a virtue.
The Third Basic Instinct is quite an eye opening book, even for guys like me who have read several similar books before. The fact that Alex Keys has used so many various sources has served the author well to keep the book interesting – and an interesting read in my opinion tends to be a light read, no matter how heavy or serious the subject of the book is. I believe that this book has the potential to serve as a base for Alex Key to become one of our rising stars in social commentary. I am really interested to see what he comes up with next!
The three basic instincts the author describes are based on Alex Key’s years of study about the nature of man and his society. The first two basic instincts we share with all other living things and these deal with survival and reproduction. The third instinct sets us aside from our animal kin much more than the opposable thumbs: It is curiosity and learning. To Alex Keys it is this third instinct that created religion, to explain the unknowns in the world around us. And it is also this basic instinct that should do away with religion. The more we know and learn the less we need to attribute to the supernatural and myth, which essentially are what makes up religion.
Like the recent work by Christopher Hutchins, God is not Great, Alex Key sites numerous examples of how religion does grave disservices to mankind. Not only the many wars fought throughout history with religious beliefs and affiliations used as casus belli but also many cruelties, injustices, murders and the like perpetrated by the faithful in the name of their gods. Alex believes that these are against nature because it goes against natural selection and even though these acts are undertaken in the name of religion, they are grossly immoral acts.
Another very interesting part of this book was Alex Key’s description of what he called the “Platinum Rule”, as opposed to the Golden Rule that people all over the world have been raised to know (do unto others as you would have other do unto you). In Key’s Platinum Rule selfishness, in a long-term perspective, is actually a virtue as the benefits are in the future and tend to have positive effects on society. This is in direct opposition to short-term and short-sighted selfishness which benefits the few.
To give an example of what the author is trying to get across here for instance, let’s say we have two men, both with the aim to become rich. The first man has a short-term selfishness which leads him to lying, cheating, theft and other immoral behavior to get what he wants. On the other hand our second fellow has a long-term selfishness. This guy has a goal, makes a plan, gets and education, forms a company and earns lots of money. He puts off the need to have the money in his hands until later but in the interim he improves the world around him by creating wealth, employing workers, developing an industry, supporting his family and staying out of jail. Key believes the whole world would be much better off for teaching the Platinum Rule as a virtue.
The Third Basic Instinct is quite an eye opening book, even for guys like me who have read several similar books before. The fact that Alex Keys has used so many various sources has served the author well to keep the book interesting – and an interesting read in my opinion tends to be a light read, no matter how heavy or serious the subject of the book is. I believe that this book has the potential to serve as a base for Alex Key to become one of our rising stars in social commentary. I am really interested to see what he comes up with next!
June 25, 2011
The Third Basic Instinct: How Religion Doesn't Get You by Alex S. Key
"The Third Basic Instinct..." is an accessible book about the three basic instincts that defines us as humans. It also takes a look at personal beliefs systems and how religion interferes with our human nature. This 308-page book is composed of the following four parts: 1. Why Basic Instincts?, 2. The Origin of Gods, 3. Selfish Morality, and 4.Unnatural Selection.
Positives:
1. A well written, interesting, page-turning book that was fun to read.
2. Well researched, plenty of fascinating facts throughout the book.
3. A clever look at our three basic instincts.
4. Plenty of brain candy in this book. In other words, a lot of interesting facts regarding how our brains work at an accessible level.
5. The psychological keys to marketing.
6. The tale of the evil Wedge Document.
7. Honestly, where would we be without evolution?
8. Simply, "You are your brain and your brain is you."
9. Great scientific and even presidential quotes abound.
10. The importance of nature and nurture.
11. Anthropology...you gotta' love it.
12. Evolutionary psychology .
13. An interesting look at our beliefs. How belief systems were created.
14. Want to know what animal is the biggest killer of humans? Find out...
15. A surprisingly interesting look at religion.
16. Even cool history...who knew?
17. Good arguments in defense of evolution and against Intelligent Design.
18. The concept of original sin?
19. So many religions so little time.
20. The concept of denial explained.
21. Top Ten If God Existed list...it's good.
22. Superstition.
23. The platinum rule.
24. Delayed gratification.
25. Evolutionary morality.
26. Memes...
27. Separation of church and state.
28. Levels of thinking.
29. Unnatural selection.
30. Religious wars.
31. So much wisdom in one book.
32. Excellent Appendix.
33. The super low Kindle price makes this book a bargain.
34. Links worked great.
Negatives:
1. Theists will have a tough time with this book.
2. Illustrations or charts would have added value.
In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very satisfying and enlightening read. So much good information in just one book; it's a real page turner. If you are looking for an accessible book that will educate and enlighten you about our beliefs this is a surprisingly good book. I want to thank Mr. Key for a wonderful read. Bravo!
Recommendations: "Human" by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Supersense" by Bruce M. Hood, "The Brain and the Meaning of Life" by Paul Thagard, and "Science under Siege" by Kendrick Frazier.
"The Third Basic Instinct..." is an accessible book about the three basic instincts that defines us as humans. It also takes a look at personal beliefs systems and how religion interferes with our human nature. This 308-page book is composed of the following four parts: 1. Why Basic Instincts?, 2. The Origin of Gods, 3. Selfish Morality, and 4.Unnatural Selection.
Positives:
1. A well written, interesting, page-turning book that was fun to read.
2. Well researched, plenty of fascinating facts throughout the book.
3. A clever look at our three basic instincts.
4. Plenty of brain candy in this book. In other words, a lot of interesting facts regarding how our brains work at an accessible level.
5. The psychological keys to marketing.
6. The tale of the evil Wedge Document.
7. Honestly, where would we be without evolution?
8. Simply, "You are your brain and your brain is you."
9. Great scientific and even presidential quotes abound.
10. The importance of nature and nurture.
11. Anthropology...you gotta' love it.
12. Evolutionary psychology .
13. An interesting look at our beliefs. How belief systems were created.
14. Want to know what animal is the biggest killer of humans? Find out...
15. A surprisingly interesting look at religion.
16. Even cool history...who knew?
17. Good arguments in defense of evolution and against Intelligent Design.
18. The concept of original sin?
19. So many religions so little time.
20. The concept of denial explained.
21. Top Ten If God Existed list...it's good.
22. Superstition.
23. The platinum rule.
24. Delayed gratification.
25. Evolutionary morality.
26. Memes...
27. Separation of church and state.
28. Levels of thinking.
29. Unnatural selection.
30. Religious wars.
31. So much wisdom in one book.
32. Excellent Appendix.
33. The super low Kindle price makes this book a bargain.
34. Links worked great.
Negatives:
1. Theists will have a tough time with this book.
2. Illustrations or charts would have added value.
In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a very satisfying and enlightening read. So much good information in just one book; it's a real page turner. If you are looking for an accessible book that will educate and enlighten you about our beliefs this is a surprisingly good book. I want to thank Mr. Key for a wonderful read. Bravo!
Recommendations: "Human" by Michael S. Gazzaniga, "Hardwired Behavior: What Neuroscience Reveals about Morality" by Laurence Tancredi, "Supersense" by Bruce M. Hood, "The Brain and the Meaning of Life" by Paul Thagard, and "Science under Siege" by Kendrick Frazier.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews