Can We be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to BelieveIn 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. |
Contents
The Events of September 11 2001 | 9 |
TO BELIEVE IS HUMAN | 15 |
Constructive Effects of Communal Beliefs | 173 |
Copyright | |
4 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Can We Be Good Without God?: Biology, Behavior, and the Need to Believe Robert Buckman Limited preview - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
activity aggression amygdala animals aspects atheist basically behave behavior patterns belief systems biological brain cargo cults centuries cerebral cortex ceremonies chapter clearly concept conflict conscious coping strategy cortex course crowd behavior cult dead death destruction discuss divine effect emotions ence evolved example existence external deity fact factors false pregnancy feel forces function gods happens herd heroes human behavior humankind hunter-gatherer idea images important individual innate instinct involved John Frum Joseph Campbell kill in God's large number limbic system major meaning Michael Persinger mind moral natural neocortex nontheist object observations particular perhaps Persinger person pheromones recognize reflex regarded religions religious beliefs religious experience right temporal lobe rituals role Russell Crowe seizure sense shaman signals simply social societies species temporal lobe epilepsy theme things tion understanding Wilder Penfield words