Sign-In
Cart
Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods: Early Humans and the Origins of Religion
Hardcover
ISBN13: 9780231183369
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Published: Sep 5 2017
Pages: 312
Weight: 1.30
Height: 1.10 Width: 6.30 Depth: 9.10
Language: English
Religions and mythologies from around the world teach that God or gods created humans. Atheist, humanist, and materialist critics, meanwhile, have attempted to turn theology on its head, claiming that religion is a human invention. In this book, E. Fuller Torrey draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to propose a startling answer to the ultimate question. Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods locates the origin of gods within the human brain, arguing that religious belief is a by-product of evolution.
Based on an idea originally proposed by Charles Darwin, Torrey marshals evidence that the emergence of gods was an incidental consequence of several evolutionary factors. Using data ranging from ancient skulls and artifacts to brain imaging, primatology, and child development studies, this book traces how new cognitive abilities gave rise to new behaviors. For instance, autobiographical memory, the ability to project ourselves backward and forward in time, gave Homo sapiens a competitive advantage. However, it also led to comprehension of mortality, spurring belief in an alternative to death. Torrey details the neurobiological sequence that explains why the gods appeared when they did, connecting archaeological findings including clothing, art, farming, and urbanization to cognitive developments. This book does not dismiss belief but rather presents religious belief as an inevitable outcome of brain evolution. Providing clear and accessible explanations of evolutionary neuroscience, Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods will shed new light on the mechanics of our deepest mysteries.
Also in
Cognition
Healing Emotions: Conversations with the Dalai Lama on Psychology, Meditation, and the Mind-Body Connection
Salzberg, Sharon
H. H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama
Paperback
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
The Complete Guide to the Enneagram: A Modern Approach to Self-Discovery and Connecting Well with Others
MacKenzie, Sierra
Paperback
Mapping the Darkness: The Visionary Scientists Who Unlocked the Mysteries of Sleep
Kenneth Miller
Paperback
True Color: The Strange and Spectacular Quest to Define Color--From Azure to Zinc Pink
Stamper, Kory
Hardcover
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength, and Thrive
Germer, Christopher
Neff, Kristin
Paperback
The Love Language(tm) That Matters Most: How to Personalize Love So They Really Feel It
Parrott, Les
Chapman, Gary
Parrott, Leslie
Paperback
The Mattering Instinct: How Our Deepest Longing Drives Us and Divides Us
Goldstein, Rebecca Newberger
Hardcover
Born to Flourish: How New Science and Ancient Wisdom Reveal a Simple Path to Thriving
Dahl, Cortland
Davidson, Richard J.
Hardcover
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World
McGilchrist, Iain
Paperback
Raising Mentally Strong Kids: How to Combine the Power of Neuroscience with Love and Logic to Grow Confident, Kind, Responsible, and Resilient Childre
Fay Phd, Charles
Amen MD Daniel G.
Hardcover
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence---From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
Herman, Judith Lewis
Paperback
Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain: Breaking the Doom Loop to Heal Chronic Physical and Emotional Pain
Amen, Daniel G.
Hardcover
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
Brown, Brené
Paperback
Once I Get Started: The Adult ADHD Program for Turning Your Intentions Into Actions
Ramsay, Russell, PH. D.
Hardcover
The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom
Trenton, Nick
Hardcover
Big Trust: Rewire Self-Doubt, Find Your Confidence, and Fuel Success
Sekkouah, Fayçal
Zahrai, Shadé
Hardcover
Permission to Feel: The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success
Brackett, Marc
Paperback
From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn't Own You
Lynton, Michael
Steiner, Joshua L.
Hardcover
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Van Der Kolk, Bessel
Hardcover
Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends
King, Patrick
Paperback
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook--What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us about Loss, Love, and
Perry, Bruce D.
Szalavitz, Maia
Paperback
The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity--And Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race
Lieberman, Daniel Z.
Long, Michael E.
Paperback
The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss
O'Connor, Mary-Frances
Paperback
What Every Body Is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People
Karlins, Marvin
Navarro, Joe
Paperback
I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn't): Making the Journey from What Will People Think? to I Am Enough
Brown, Brené
Paperback
The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom
Trenton, Nick
Paperback
Where Do You Feel That in Your Body?: Moving Beyond Talk Therapy to Understand the Language of the Nervous System
Saunders, Simone
Hardcover
Smitten: Romantic Obsession, the Neuroscience of Limerence, and How to Make Love Last
Bellamy, Tom
Hardcover
The 25th Hour: How to Thrive (and Gain Ridiculous Amounts of Time) by Getting Out of Your Own Way
Schore, Neal
Hardcover
Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to Overcome Anxiety, Panic, and Worry
Pittman, Catherine M.
Karle, Elizabeth M.
Paperback
Unfuck Your Brain Workbook: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers
Harper, Faith G.
Paperback
We All Have Parts!: An Illustrated Guide to Healing Trauma with Internal Family Systems
West, Colleen
Hardcover
The Rejected Parent: Rebuild Your Relationship with Your Child During and After a Divorce or Custody Dispute
Himlin, Cathy
Paperback
Reality Switch Technologies: Psychedelics as Tools for the Discovery and Exploration of New Worlds
Gallimore, Andrew R.
Paperback
The Secret Language of Birthdays: Your Complete Personology Guide for Each Day of the Year
Elffers, Joost
Goldschneider, Gary
Paperback
What's True about You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future
Thomas, Katherine Woodward
Hardcover
Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism
Rosenberg, Stanley
Paperback
Los 7 hábitos de la gente con inteligencia emocional: Domina tus emociones, aumenta tu autoestima y recupera el control de tu vida
Oliver, Daniel M.
Paperback
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
Cron, Ian Morgan
Stabile, Suzanne
Hardcover
Unwinding Anxiety: New Science Shows How to Break the Cycles of Worry and Fear to Heal Your Mind
Brewer, Judson
Paperback
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist's Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life
Barr, Rachel
Hardcover
Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being
Berman, Marc
Hardcover
Tiny Shifts: How Emotional Health Transforms Stress, Relationships, and Longevity
Goldstein, Elisha
Paperback
The Pain Reprocessing Therapy Workbook: Using the Brain's Neuroplasticity to Break the Cycle of Chronic Pain
Blackstone, Vanessa M.
Sinaiko, Olivia S.
Paperback
Big Feelings, Big Joy: The Essential Practices to Reclaim Your Strengths as a Highly Sensitive Person
Snow Lmft, April
Hardcover
Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon's Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets Ofthe Heart
Doty, James R.
Paperback
How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days
Leibowitz, Kari
Hardcover
Better Small Talk: Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends
King, Patrick
Hardcover
Transforming the Shame Triangle: From Shame to Love Using Parts Work
Fern, Jessica
Cooley, David
Paperback
Carl Jung-Based Shadow Work Journal and Workbook for Deep Healing: Guided Prompts for Emotional Healing, Trauma Recovery, and Mindful Living
Voss, Adeleine
Jung, Carl
Paperback
Vibe: The Secrets of Strong Connections in a Lonely World (Large Print Edition)
Grant, Adam
Paperback
Permiso Para Sentir: Educación Emocional Para Mayores Y Pequeños Con El Método Ruler / Permission to Feel
Brackett, Marc
Paperback
The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon's Case for the Existence of the Soul
Egnor, Michael
O'Leary, Denyse
Hardcover
A Feminist's Guide to ADHD: How Women Can Thrive and Find Focus in a World Built for Men
Maschke, Janina
Paperback
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time
Korb, Alex
Paperback
Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways
Cheng-Tozun, Dorcas
Hardcover
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
Doidge, Norman
Paperback
EMDR Workbook for Kids: A Collection of EMDR Handouts & Worksheets to Help Kids Process Trauma, Stress, Anger, Sadness & More
Mark-Griffin, Christine
Paperback
The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes
Tracey, Kevin J., MD
Hardcover
Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy
Shapiro, Francine
Paperback
The Hidden Habits of Genius: Beyond Talent, Iq, and Grit--Unlocking the Secrets of Greatness
Wright, Craig
Paperback
Actually, You're Fine: A Compassionate, Practical Guide to Maximizing Your Child's Potential in the Age of Anxiety
Davis, Katie S.
Hardcover
A Horse's Life: The Neuroscience of Equine Welfare
Rashid, Mark
McDonald, Crissi
Peters, Stephen
Paperback
A Colorful Introduction to the Anatomy of the Human Brain: A Brain and Psychology Coloring Book
Pinel, John
Edwards, Maggie
Paperback
How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend: A Neuroscientist's Guide to a Healthier, Happier Life
Barr, Rachel
Paperback
The Grieving Body: How the Stress of Loss Can Be an Opportunity for Healing
O'Connor, Mary-Frances
Hardcover
Spy the Lie: Former CIA Officers Teach You How to Detect Deception
Houston, Philip
Carnicero, Susan
Floyd, Michael
Paperback
Ways of Being: Animals, Plants, Machines: The Search for a Planetary Intelligence
Bridle, James
Paperback
After: A Doctor Explores What Near-Death Experiences Reveal about Life and Beyond
Greyson, Bruce
Paperback
The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power
Schafler, Katherine Morgan
Hardcover
The Courage to Be Ordinary: Discover Your Surprising Superpower for a Thriving Life
Kishimi, Ichiro
Paperback
Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways
Cheng-Tozun, Dorcas
Paperback
The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self-Discovery Guide -- Revised & Updated
Daniels, David
Price, Virginia
Paperback
The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types
Hudson, Russ
Riso, Don Richard
Paperback
Learn to Read for Kids with Dyslexia: 101 Games and Activities to Teach Your Child to Read
Braun, Hannah, M. Ed
Paperback