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varuna77's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book enjoyable and well-written in a conversational, folksy and approachable manner. It is not an in-depth analysis of the human brain. This book is really more of a personal philosophical journey with a scientific and philosophic literature review in the middle and an personal plea in the conclusion.
The scientific and medical theories he explore are very interesting. Alper explains multiple studies and sources showing many mystical religious experiences are really just specific neurological reactions or impulses. He continues down the path of logic that for all humans to have these scientifically measurable and quantifiable reactions, must mean there is a physical part of our brain in charge of making us feel those things. And the only way for our brain to do that is to be told to grow that area by our genes.
It's an easy journey to follow with him, that he smooths by throwing in some philosophy. He never presents much in the way of criticism of any of these studies or talks about replication or anything that would make this a truly scientific, in-depth analysis of his thesis.
Alper's passion and personality really come through in his conclusion. He argues that since all of this science seems to point to genetic programming for religion, instead of fighting it, we should push for either a universal religion or, for those who don't want religion, pushing ourselves inward in order to understand the impulses and overcome them.
Overall, this is a simple, personable and approachable book. I think for people who might just beginning to explore questions about religion or who are exploring the "why god" part of their atheist quest, this is a good start.
The scientific and medical theories he explore are very interesting. Alper explains multiple studies and sources showing many mystical religious experiences are really just specific neurological reactions or impulses. He continues down the path of logic that for all humans to have these scientifically measurable and quantifiable reactions, must mean there is a physical part of our brain in charge of making us feel those things. And the only way for our brain to do that is to be told to grow that area by our genes.
It's an easy journey to follow with him, that he smooths by throwing in some philosophy. He never presents much in the way of criticism of any of these studies or talks about replication or anything that would make this a truly scientific, in-depth analysis of his thesis.
Alper's passion and personality really come through in his conclusion. He argues that since all of this science seems to point to genetic programming for religion, instead of fighting it, we should push for either a universal religion or, for those who don't want religion, pushing ourselves inward in order to understand the impulses and overcome them.
Overall, this is a simple, personable and approachable book. I think for people who might just beginning to explore questions about religion or who are exploring the "why god" part of their atheist quest, this is a good start.
nikkijjj09's review against another edition
It’s more of the authors journey in spirituality and outdated research on basic biology. It also read like a high school paper that’s trying to reach a high word limit.
thatpatti's review against another edition
4.0
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 them into a deep depression for over a year).
So yeah, incredibly interesting, but read at your own risk. ;)
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 them into a deep depression for over a year).
So yeah, incredibly interesting, but read at your own risk. ;)
chumpapagwa's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a science book. It is one man's personal journey to try and explore religiosity through many different lenses. Philosophy, physics, biology, neurology, etc. He definitely gets wordy, and makes a lot of leaps in my opinion. But he also makes some thought provoking points. And if a book can make me pause and ponder for awhile, it's not half bad. But you will be disappointed if you're expecting anything other than a man trying to explore some heavy concepts through whatever means he can.
mapodofu's review against another edition
3.0
While the scientific justification used to explain God is generally sound in the book, the author's writing style falls somewhere between pedantic and insulting. Alper insists on continually reiterating his points, and making tiring lists of examples far beyond what is called for. Even worse, he sometimes repeats his lists, which seems like a method of meeting some imaginary word count.
I also had a hard time digesting one of his central pillars: Alper claims that when humanity became smart enough to realize that we all eventually die this induced a species-wide paralyzing anxiety on par with that felt by a mouse cornered by a lion. He then reasons that religiosity arose to combat this anxiety that, left unchecked, would have made our species extinct. The leap of faith required to buy this argument is simply too big to make, which is a shame because his thesis is sound otherwise.
I also had a hard time digesting one of his central pillars: Alper claims that when humanity became smart enough to realize that we all eventually die this induced a species-wide paralyzing anxiety on par with that felt by a mouse cornered by a lion. He then reasons that religiosity arose to combat this anxiety that, left unchecked, would have made our species extinct. The leap of faith required to buy this argument is simply too big to make, which is a shame because his thesis is sound otherwise.