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A review by varuna77
The "God" Part of the Brain: A Scientific Interpretation of Human Spirituality and God by Matthew Alper
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.