The Evolution of God
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4.2 • 41 Ratings
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
In this sweeping narrative that takes us from the Stone Age to the Information Age, Robert Wright unveils an astonishing discovery: there is a hidden pattern that the great monotheistic faiths have followed as they have evolved. Through the prisms of archaeology, theology, and evolutionary psychology, Wright's findings overturn basic assumptions about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and are sure to cause controversy. He explains why spirituality has a role today, and why science, contrary to conventional wisdom, affirms the validity of the religious quest. And this previously unrecognized evolutionary logic points not toward continued religious extremism, but future harmony.
Nearly a decade in the making, The Evolution of God is a breathtaking re-examination of the past, and a visionary look forward.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In his illuminating book, The Moral Animal, Wright introduced evolutionary psychology and examined the ways that the morality of individuals might be hard-wired by nature rather than influenced by culture. With this book, he expands upon that work, turning now to explore how religion came to define larger and larger groups of people as part of the circle of moral consideration. Using a na ve and antiquated approach to the sociology and anthropology of religion, Wright expends far too great an effort covering well-trod territory concerning the development of religions from "primitive" hunter-gatherer stages to monotheism. He finds in this evolution of religion, however, that the great monotheistic (he calls them "Abrahamic," a term not favored by many religion scholars) religions Christianity, Islam, Judaism all contain a code for the salvation of the world. Using game theory, he encourages individuals in these three faiths to embrace a non zero-sum relationship to other religions, seeing their fortunes as positively correlated and interdependent and then acting with tolerance toward other religions. Regrettably, Wright's lively writing unveils little that is genuinely new or insightful about religion.
Customer Reviews
Eye opening
Ever wonder where the idea of God came from? Ever wonder how the organization of religion started? Want to know the Origin of the abrahamic religions? Want to see how God has evolved over time along with society? A must read for all!
Explaining conundrums & topical items
A well constructed, annotated, and scholarly book on how man's view of god has changed reflecting through history. The book gives plausible and pleasant answers to Jewish & Christian conundrums I faced after a strict Christian fundamentalist education. His explanation.of Islam was engaging and informative. I am left with hope for us humans. I recommend.
For students of life
This book is an excellent lesson on how reason and skepticism can indeed be refreshingly open minded. While it challenges traditional religious beliefs and atheists alike, it is never belligerent. The remarkable scale, the admirable attention to detail, and the creative synthesis of information make this a must-read for students of history, of international relations, of spirituality, and of life. It upholds a high academic standard while supporting a very human message of cooperation and peace that can be applied to all spheres of life.