Supernatural Selection

Supernatural Selection PDF Author: Matt Rossano
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199798780
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 304

Get Book

Book Description
In 2006, scientist Richard Dawkins published a blockbuster bestseller, The God Delusion. This atheist manifesto sparked a furious reaction from believers, who have responded with numerous books of their own. By pitting science against religion, however, this debate overlooks what science can tell us about religion. According to evolutionary psychologist Matt J. Rossano, what science reveals is that religion made us human. In Supernatural Selection, Rossano presents an evolutionary history of religion. Neither an apologist for religion nor a religion-basher, he draws together evidence from a wide range of disciplines to show the valuable--even essential--adaptive purpose served by systematic belief in the supernatural. The roots of religion stretch as far back as half a million years, when our ancestors developed the motor control to engage in social rituals--that is, to sing and dance together. Then, about 70,000 years ago, a global ecological crisis drove humanity to the edge of extinction. It forced the survivors to create new strategies for survival, and religious rituals were foremost among them. Fundamentally, Rossano writes, religion is a way for humans to relate to each other and the world around them--and, in the grim struggles of prehistory, it offered significant survival and reproductive advantages. It emerged as our ancestors' first health care system, and a critical part of that health care system was social support. Religious groups tended to be far more cohesive, which gave them a competitive advantage over non-religious groups, and enabled them to conquer the globe. Rather than focusing on one aspect of religion, as many theorists do, Rossano offers an all-encompassing approach that is rich with surprises, insights, and provocative conclusions.

Supernatural Selection

Supernatural Selection PDF Author: Matt Rossano
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199798780
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 304

Get Book

Book Description
In 2006, scientist Richard Dawkins published a blockbuster bestseller, The God Delusion. This atheist manifesto sparked a furious reaction from believers, who have responded with numerous books of their own. By pitting science against religion, however, this debate overlooks what science can tell us about religion. According to evolutionary psychologist Matt J. Rossano, what science reveals is that religion made us human. In Supernatural Selection, Rossano presents an evolutionary history of religion. Neither an apologist for religion nor a religion-basher, he draws together evidence from a wide range of disciplines to show the valuable--even essential--adaptive purpose served by systematic belief in the supernatural. The roots of religion stretch as far back as half a million years, when our ancestors developed the motor control to engage in social rituals--that is, to sing and dance together. Then, about 70,000 years ago, a global ecological crisis drove humanity to the edge of extinction. It forced the survivors to create new strategies for survival, and religious rituals were foremost among them. Fundamentally, Rossano writes, religion is a way for humans to relate to each other and the world around them--and, in the grim struggles of prehistory, it offered significant survival and reproductive advantages. It emerged as our ancestors' first health care system, and a critical part of that health care system was social support. Religious groups tended to be far more cohesive, which gave them a competitive advantage over non-religious groups, and enabled them to conquer the globe. Rather than focusing on one aspect of religion, as many theorists do, Rossano offers an all-encompassing approach that is rich with surprises, insights, and provocative conclusions.

Supernatural and Natural Selection

Supernatural and Natural Selection PDF Author: Lyle B. Steadman
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317251156
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 277

Get Book

Book Description
Spanning many different epochs and varieties of religious experience, this book develops a new approach to religion and its role in human history. The authors look across a range of religious phenomena-from ancestor worship to totemism, shamanism, and worldwide modern religions-to offer a new explanation of the evolutionary success of religious behaviors. Their book is more empirical and verifiable than most previous books on evolution and religion because they develop an approach that removes guesswork about beliefs in the supernatural, focusing instead on the behaviors of individuals. The result is a pioneering look at how and why natural selection has favored religious behaviors throughout history.

Supernatural Selection

Supernatural Selection PDF Author: Matt Rossano
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199750777
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 304

Get Book

Book Description
In 2006, scientist Richard Dawkins published a blockbuster bestseller, The God Delusion. This atheist manifesto sparked a furious reaction from believers, who have responded with numerous books of their own. By pitting science against religion, however, this debate overlooks what science can tell us about religion. According to evolutionary psychologist Matt J. Rossano, what science reveals is that religion made us human. In Supernatural Selection, Rossano presents an evolutionary history of religion. Neither an apologist for religion nor a religion-basher, he draws together evidence from a wide range of disciplines to show the valuable--even essential--adaptive purpose served by systematic belief in the supernatural. The roots of religion stretch as far back as half a million years, when our ancestors developed the motor control to engage in social rituals--that is, to sing and dance together. Then, about 70,000 years ago, a global ecological crisis drove humanity to the edge of extinction. It forced the survivors to create new strategies for survival, and religious rituals were foremost among them. Fundamentally, Rossano writes, religion is a way for humans to relate to each other and the world around them--and, in the grim struggles of prehistory, it offered significant survival and reproductive advantages. It emerged as our ancestors' first health care system, and a critical part of that health care system was social support. Religious groups tended to be far more cohesive, which gave them a competitive advantage over non-religious groups, and enabled them to conquer the globe. Rather than focusing on one aspect of religion, as many theorists do, Rossano offers an all-encompassing approach that is rich with surprises, insights, and provocative conclusions.

Single White Incubus

Single White Incubus PDF Author: E.J. Russell
Publisher: Reality Optional Press
ISBN: 1947033735
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 275

Get Book

Book Description


Vampire with Benefits

Vampire with Benefits PDF Author: E.J. Russell
Publisher: Reality Optional Press
ISBN: 1947033751
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 264

Get Book

Book Description


Supernatural Noir

Supernatural Noir PDF Author: Ellen Datlow
Publisher: Open Road Media
ISBN: 1504082729
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 353

Get Book

Book Description
Sixteen tales that combine the otherworldly with hardboiled crime fiction—from Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Paul G. Tremblay, Melanie Tem, and others. Here are the femme fatales, the tough guys, the down-on-their-luck detectives—but with a twist. Collected by Hugo and Bram Stoker Award–winning editor Ellen Datlow, these stories of the murderous and macabre will take you onto the dark streets of worlds unlike our own, where the monstrous stalk their prey. At the behest of a beautiful blonde client, a small-town East Texas private eye is drawn into a case of grave robbing by someone—or something—with an unholy interest in “Dead Sister” by Joe R. Lansdale. Elizabeth Bear’s “The Romance” takes partygoers on a wild ride when the centerpiece of a birthday celebration turns out to be a haunted merry-go-round. After robbing a pawnshop, a group of small-time crooks get their shocking comeuppance as they flee the scene in “The Getaway” by Paul G. Tremblay. “Little Shit” by Melanie Tem follows a college student with a very unique skill set as she makes money on the side taking down criminals. Supernatural Noir also includes bone-chilling tales from Lucius Shepard, Laird Barron, Brian Evenson, Gregory Frost, Richard Bowes, Jeffrey Ford, Lee Thomas, Tom Piccirilli, Nate Southard, Nick Mamatas, and John Langan. “This anthology has some of the most exciting fiction published in 2011. This is fiction that will make you uncomfortable, that will haunt you, that will show up in your dreams. . . . Horrifyingly wonderful.” —Fantasy Literature

Children and the Supernatural

Children and the Supernatural PDF Author: Jennifer Toledo
Publisher: Charisma Media
ISBN: 1616386061
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 226

Get Book

Book Description
Toledo examines reports of numerous radical God-encounters experienced by children after they were taught about the power of the Holy Spirit: visions, miracles, travail, prophetic evangelism, marketplace intercession, and prophecy.

Natural Selection

Natural Selection PDF Author: Dave Freedman
Publisher: Hachette Books
ISBN: 1401384587
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 395

Get Book

Book Description
A shocking biological discovery. A previously unknown predatory species. Evolving just like the dinosaurs. Now. Today. Being forced out of its world and into man's for a violent first encounter. Weaving science and thriller in a way not seen since Jurassic Park, Natural Selection introduces a phenomenally dangerous new species that is rapidly adapting in a way never before seen. A mystery. A chase. A vast expansive puzzle. A team of marine scientists is on the verge of making the most stunning discovery in the history of man. In their quest for answers, they engage a host of fascinating characters. The world's premier neurology expert. A specialist on animal teeth. Flight simulation wizards, evolution historians, deep sea geologists, and so many more. Along the way, the team of six men and women experience love, friendship, loyalty and betrayal. Together, they set off to exotic locales. Literally to the bottom of the ocean. To a vast and mysterious redwood forest. To an unknown complex of massive caves. When people start dying, the stakes are upped even further. Then the real hunt begins. . . . Loaded with astonishing action sequences, Natural Selection is that rare breed of thriller, filled with intricately layered research, real three-dimensional characters, and tornado pacing.

Intelligent Design Creationism and Its Critics

Intelligent Design Creationism and Its Critics PDF Author: Robert T. Pennock
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262661241
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 834

Get Book

Book Description
The last decade saw the arrival of a new player in the creation/evolution debate—the intelligent design creationism (IDC) movement, whose strategy is to act as "the wedge" to overturn Darwinism and scientific naturalism. This anthology of writings by prominent creationists and their critics focuses on what is novel about the new movement. It serves as a companion to Robert Pennock's Tower of Babel, in which he criticizes the wedge movement, as well as other new varieties of creationism. The book contains articles previously published in specialized, hard-to-find journals, as well as new contributions. Each section contains introductory background information, articles by influential creationists and their critics, and in some cases responses by the creationists. The discussions cover IDC as a political movement, IDC's philosophical attack on evolution, the theological debate over the apparent conflict between evolution and the Bible, IDC's scientific claims, and philosopher Alvin Plantinga's critique of naturalism and evolution. The book concludes with Pennock's "Why Creationism Should Not Be Taught in the Public Schools."

Tales of Terror and the Supernatural

Tales of Terror and the Supernatural PDF Author: Wilkie Collins
Publisher: Courier Corporation
ISBN: 0486203077
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 322

Get Book

Book Description
Twelve supernatural tales are accompanied by a discussion of Collins' life and literary achievements