Why We Believe

An "impressive" wide-ranging argument by a renowned anthropologist that the capacity to believe is what makes us human (Justin Barret, American Scientist).

Why are so many humans religious? Why do we daydream, imagine, and hope? Philosophers, theologians, social scientists, and historians have offered explanations for centuries, but their accounts often ignore or even avoid human evolution. Evolutionary scientists answer with proposals for why ritual, religion, and faith make sense as adaptations to past challenges or as by-products of our hyper-complex cognitive capacities.

But what if the focus on religion is too narrow? Renowned anthropologist Agustín Fuentes argues that the capacity to be religious is actually a small part of a larger and deeper human capacity to believe. Why believe in religion, economies, love? A fascinating intervention into some of the most common misconceptions about human nature, this book employs evolutionary, neurobiological, and anthropological evidence to argue that belief—the ability to commit passionately and wholeheartedly to an idea—is central to the human way of being in the world.

"Readers with an interest in the origins of human cognition will find it a stimulating book." —Jonathan Birch, Current Biology

"A compelling, evolutionary narrative.'" —Steve Nolan, Reviews in Religion & Theology

"A provocative source of timely conversations about evolution, science, and anthropology in the twenty-first century." —Sang-Hee Lee, American Anthropologist

"A wholly impressive look at how our capacity for belief evolved. . . .fascinating." —Barbara J. King, author of Evolving God

"An exciting intellectual tour through culture, neurobiology, prehistory, religion, economies, love, war, and more. Read it to better know yourself and your species." —Guy P. Harrison, author of At Least Know This: Essential Science to Enhance Your Life