In this provocative and stimulating study of the connection between belief and behavior, Dr. Robert Buckman begins by reviewing the history of religious belief, showing the many shared themes among religions of diverse cultures. He then explains little-publicized data from neuroscience on the limbic system and the right-hand temporal lobe of the brain, which when stimulated consistently produces deep-seated spiritual feelings. Recent experiments reveal that this portion of the brain may underlie the development of many common religious beliefs, and perhaps the more aggressive and destructive behaviors associated with some of them. Buckman also summarizes evidence regarding pheromones and their effect on the limbic system, as a possible mechanism for certain types of crowd behavior, whether in a religious or secular context.Finally, considering the long historical relationship between religion and ethics, Buckman asks whether we can develop better, nontheistic belief systems that avoid the destructive aspects of traditional religious beliefs. He then describes ways in which we can become aware of, and perhaps, correct our "limbic urges" when they threaten to lead to destructive behavior. This ambitious work, covering important areas of social anthropology, comparative religion, neurology, and psychology, provides many insights into the mechanisms of belief.
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About the Author:
Robert Buckman, M.D. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a cancer specialist, professor in the department of medicine at the University of Toronto, the current president of the Humanist Association of Canada, and the author (with Karl Sabbagh) of Magic or Medicine?
Review:
"...clear and accessible ... provides a very helpful survey of current ideas on nonreligious approaches to morality." -- Research News and Opportunities in Science and Theology
"Buckman's got it right--a realistic and positive moral blueprint for being good." -- Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
"This well-written book ... could help protect the world from the kinds of horrors we have seen in the 20th century." -- Free Inquiry, Winter 2002
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- PublisherPrometheus
- Publication date2002
- ISBN 10 1573929743
- ISBN 13 9781573929745
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages278
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Rating