书名: Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
作者: Daniel C. Dennett (Author)
出版社: Viking Adult (February 2, 2006)
语言: English
ISBN-10: 067003472X
ISBN-13: 978-0670034727
Book Description
An innovative thinker tackles the controversial question of why we believe in God and how religion shapes our lives and our future
For a growing number of people, there is nothing more important than religion. It is an integral part of their marriage, child rearing, and community. In this daring new book, distinguished philosopher Daniel C. Dennett takes a hard look at this phenomenon and asks why. Where does our devotion to God come from and what purpose does it serve? Is religion a blind evolutionary compulsion or a rational choice? In Breaking the Spell, Dennett argues that the time has come to shed the light of science on the fundamental questions of faith.
In a spirited narrative that ranges widely through history, philosophy, and psychology, Dennett explores how organized religion evolved from folk beliefs and why it is such a potent force today. Deftly and lucidly, he contends that the "belief in belief" has fogged any attempt to rationally consider the existence of God and the relationship between divinity and human need.
Breaking the Spell is not an antireligious screed but rather an eyeopening exploration of the role that belief plays in our lives, our interactions, and our country. With the gulf between rationalists and adherents of "intelligent design" widening daily, Dennett has written a timely and provocative book that will be read and passionately debated by believers and nonbelievers alike.
Review
"Ambitious... an accessible account of what might be called the natural history of religion." -- The New Yorker
"How would a visitor from Mars dispassionately explain human religion? ...My guess is that the result would be something like this crystal-clear, constantly engaging, and enjoyable new book." -- Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse
"Rich and rewarding... the main business of the book is to give a scientific account of how religion may have developed among creatures such as us.... The product of an extremely bright mind." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"An elegant, sharp-minded essay on the need to study religion in a dispassionate way." -- The Economist
"Penetrating... a sharp synthesis of a library of evolutionary, anthropological and psychological research on the origin and spread of religion." -- Scientific American
About the Author
Daniel C. Dennett is a professor and director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. His many books include Darwin’s Dangerous Idea and, most recently, Freedom Evolves.
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作者: Daniel C. Dennett (Author)
出版社: Viking Adult (February 2, 2006)
语言: English
ISBN-10: 067003472X
ISBN-13: 978-0670034727
Book Description
An innovative thinker tackles the controversial question of why we believe in God and how religion shapes our lives and our future
For a growing number of people, there is nothing more important than religion. It is an integral part of their marriage, child rearing, and community. In this daring new book, distinguished philosopher Daniel C. Dennett takes a hard look at this phenomenon and asks why. Where does our devotion to God come from and what purpose does it serve? Is religion a blind evolutionary compulsion or a rational choice? In Breaking the Spell, Dennett argues that the time has come to shed the light of science on the fundamental questions of faith.
In a spirited narrative that ranges widely through history, philosophy, and psychology, Dennett explores how organized religion evolved from folk beliefs and why it is such a potent force today. Deftly and lucidly, he contends that the "belief in belief" has fogged any attempt to rationally consider the existence of God and the relationship between divinity and human need.
Breaking the Spell is not an antireligious screed but rather an eyeopening exploration of the role that belief plays in our lives, our interactions, and our country. With the gulf between rationalists and adherents of "intelligent design" widening daily, Dennett has written a timely and provocative book that will be read and passionately debated by believers and nonbelievers alike.
Review
"Ambitious... an accessible account of what might be called the natural history of religion." -- The New Yorker
"How would a visitor from Mars dispassionately explain human religion? ...My guess is that the result would be something like this crystal-clear, constantly engaging, and enjoyable new book." -- Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse
"Rich and rewarding... the main business of the book is to give a scientific account of how religion may have developed among creatures such as us.... The product of an extremely bright mind." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"An elegant, sharp-minded essay on the need to study religion in a dispassionate way." -- The Economist
"Penetrating... a sharp synthesis of a library of evolutionary, anthropological and psychological research on the origin and spread of religion." -- Scientific American
About the Author
Daniel C. Dennett is a professor and director of the Center for Cognitive Studies at Tufts University. His many books include Darwin’s Dangerous Idea and, most recently, Freedom Evolves.
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