{"product_id":"how-religion-evolved-9780241431795","title":"How Religion Evolved","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA fascinating analysis of the evolution of religion from the internationally renowned evolutionary psychologist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen did humans develop spiritual thought? What is religion''s evolutionary purpose? And in our increasingly secular world, why has it endured?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery society in the history of humanity has lived with religion. In \u003ci\u003eHow Religion Evolved\u003c\/i\u003e, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar tracks its origins back to what he terms the ''mystical stance'' - the aspect of human psychology that predisposes us to believe in a transcendent world, and which makes an encounter with the spiritual possible. As he explores world religions and their many derivatives, as well as religions of experience practised by hunter-gatherer societies since time immemorial, Dunbar argues that this instinct is not a peculiar human quirk, an aberration on our otherwise efficient evolutionary journey. Rather, religion confers an advantage: it can benefit our individual health an\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStimulating and hugely ambitious... A compelling intellectual workout. Dunbar offers a powerful central argument, an excellent survey of alternative theories and a wide range of vivid and illuminating examples... The story he tells is important to us all -- Matthew Reisz * Observer *\u003cbr\u003eDunbar's intellectual interests are far-ranging, and he is as sure-footed talking about human cognition as congregation sizes...  \u003ci\u003eHow Religion Evolved\u003c\/i\u003e is learned, readable and sweeping (in the best sense of that word)... Hard to argue with -- Nick Spencer * Financial Times *\u003cbr\u003eWhen one of the most creative, insightful, and versatile evolutionary thinkers of our time turns his scientific gaze toward religion, it is no surprise that he delivers a landmark book that completely reshapes our understanding of religious belief, experience, and practice. In \u003ci\u003eHow Religion Evolved\u003c\/i\u003e, Dunbar not only raises fundamental questions that previous scholars of religion have ignored, he offers novel solutions in a comprehensive narrative that is as engaging as it is informative. A gifted scientist and writer has given anyone interested in religion a genuine gift -- Richard Sosis, James Barnett Professor of Humanistic Anthropology, University of Connecticut\u003cbr\u003eA book with impressive intellectual sweep -- Clive Cookson * Financial Times *\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Penguin Books Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48733112697175,"sku":"9780241431795","price":10.44,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780241431795.jpg?v=1719999442","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/how-religion-evolved-9780241431795","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}