Belief

Belief PDF Author: James E. Alcock
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1633884031
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 640

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Book Description
An expert on the psychology of belief examines how our thoughts and feelings, actions and reactions, respond not to the world as it actually is but to the world as we believeit to be. This book explores the psychology of belief - how beliefs are formed, how they are influenced both by internal factors, such as perception, memory, reason, emotion, and prior beliefs, as well as external factors, such as experience, identification with a group, social pressure, and manipulation. It also reveals how vulnerable beliefs are to error, and how they can be held with great confidence even when factually false. The author, a social psychologist who specializes in the psychology of belief, elucidates how the brain and nervous system function to create the perceptions, memories, and emotions that shape belief. He explains how and why distorted perceptions, false memories, and inappropriate emotional reactions that sometimes lead us to embrace false beliefs are natural products of mental functioning. He also shows why it is so difficult to change our beliefs when they collide with contradictions. Covering a wide range -- from self-perception and the perceived validity of everyday experience to paranormal, religious, and even fatal beliefs--the book demonstrates how crucial beliefs are to molding our experience and why they have such a powerful hold on our behavior.

Belief

Belief PDF Author: James E. Alcock
Publisher: Prometheus Books
ISBN: 1633884031
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 640

Get Book Here

Book Description
An expert on the psychology of belief examines how our thoughts and feelings, actions and reactions, respond not to the world as it actually is but to the world as we believeit to be. This book explores the psychology of belief - how beliefs are formed, how they are influenced both by internal factors, such as perception, memory, reason, emotion, and prior beliefs, as well as external factors, such as experience, identification with a group, social pressure, and manipulation. It also reveals how vulnerable beliefs are to error, and how they can be held with great confidence even when factually false. The author, a social psychologist who specializes in the psychology of belief, elucidates how the brain and nervous system function to create the perceptions, memories, and emotions that shape belief. He explains how and why distorted perceptions, false memories, and inappropriate emotional reactions that sometimes lead us to embrace false beliefs are natural products of mental functioning. He also shows why it is so difficult to change our beliefs when they collide with contradictions. Covering a wide range -- from self-perception and the perceived validity of everyday experience to paranormal, religious, and even fatal beliefs--the book demonstrates how crucial beliefs are to molding our experience and why they have such a powerful hold on our behavior.

The Believing Brain

The Believing Brain PDF Author: Michael Shermer
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 1429972610
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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Book Description
The Believing Brain is bestselling author Michael Shermer's comprehensive and provocative theory on how beliefs are born, formed, reinforced, challenged, changed, and extinguished. In this work synthesizing thirty years of research, psychologist, historian of science, and the world's best-known skeptic Michael Shermer upends the traditional thinking about how humans form beliefs about the world. Simply put, beliefs come first and explanations for beliefs follow. The brain, Shermer argues, is a belief engine. From sensory data flowing in through the senses, the brain naturally begins to look for and find patterns, and then infuses those patterns with meaning. Our brains connect the dots of our world into meaningful patterns that explain why things happen, and these patterns become beliefs. Once beliefs are formed the brain begins to look for and find confirmatory evidence in support of those beliefs, which accelerates the process of reinforcing them, and round and round the process goes in a positive-feedback loop of belief confirmation. Shermer outlines the numerous cognitive tools our brains engage to reinforce our beliefs as truths. Interlaced with his theory of belief, Shermer provides countless real-world examples of how this process operates, from politics, economics, and religion to conspiracy theories, the supernatural, and the paranormal. Ultimately, he demonstrates why science is the best tool ever devised to determine whether or not a belief matches reality.

How to Believe in God

How to Believe in God PDF Author: Clark Strand
Publisher: Harmony
ISBN: 038552952X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
In How to Believe in God, Clark Strand, an accomplished master of both Eastern and Western mystical practices, takes on the most troublesome and provocative passages from Judeo-Christian scripture, transforming the Bible into a manual of spiritual liberation for the twenty-first-century seeker. Offering a revolutionary new model of approaching the Bible, he frees those sacred scriptures from superstition, dogma, and tribalism, and in the process recovers their universal teaching on salvation and belief. Drawing on his personal experiences, including his Bible Belt upbringing, his years as a Buddhist monk, and his life as a father and husband in a small rural community, Strand makes even the most subtle spiritual teaching heartfelt and accessible. How to Believe in God illuminates a clear path to reclaiming a God that leaves nothing out and leaves no one behind. His open, gentle, pioneering approach to faith allows everyone—from churchgoing Christians to those with no religious affiliation at all—to experience the Bible in new and exciting ways.

A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to The Power of Beliefs in Business

A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to The Power of Beliefs in Business PDF Author: Ari Weinzweig
Publisher: Zingerman's Press
ISBN: 0989349462
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 599

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Book Description
Ari’s new book is the culmination of a lifetime of learning and thirty four years in business, the last three of which have been spent intensively studying, reflecting on, and writing about the critical role of beliefs in the businesses and organizations of which we’re a part. The fruits of that labor are now available in this new 600-page book. We could tell you more about what's in the book but we think John U. Bacon, author of the New York Times' bestseller, Endzone: The Rise, Fall and Return of Michigan Football, said it better than we ever could! “Some business leaders know practice. Some know theory. Ari Weinzweig is one of the few who knows both. He has built a famously successful organization, while giving it more thought than do the business gurus who merely philosophize about such things. The insights Ari shares here are both deeply perceptive and highly practical, from the ideas of Howard Zinn, Viktor Frankl and Anais Nin on one page, to the importance of learning your employees’ names on the next. Like its author, this book is uncommonly smart, helpful, and just plain fun.”

The Language of God

The Language of God PDF Author: Francis Collins
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1847396151
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 227

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Book Description
Dr Francis S. Collins, head of the Human Genome Project, is one of the world's leading scientists, working at the cutting edge of the study of DNA, the code of life. Yet he is also a man of unshakable faith in God. How does he reconcile the seemingly unreconcilable? In THE LANGUAGE OF GOD he explains his own journey from atheism to faith, and then takes the reader on a stunning tour of modern science to show that physics, chemistry and biology -- indeed, reason itself -- are not incompatible with belief. His book is essential reading for anyone who wonders about the deepest questions of all: why are we here? How did we get here? And what does life mean?

How to Believe

How to Believe PDF Author: John Cottingham
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472907450
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
In Why Believe? (Continuum) Professor John Cottingham argued that every human being possesses impulses and aspirations for which religious belief offers a home. His new book, How to Believe is concerned not so much with why we should believe as with what leads a person to become a believer. Cottingham challenges believers and non-believers alike to think afresh about the need to change their lives and about what such change might involve.

Reason to Believe

Reason to Believe PDF Author: Richard Purtill
Publisher: Ignatius Press
ISBN: 1681494000
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 231

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Book Description
Is religious belief reasonable? Of course the so-called New Atheists, such as Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris, energetically say, "No!," Many others, including some believers, insist that faith is utterly beyond reasoned argument. Faith, they declare, is believing something that reason tells you can't be so. In this way they think they shield belief from rational criticism. But philosopher Richard Purtill will have none of that approach to religion. In this newly updated classic work, Purtill carefully applies the power of the mind to understanding whether there is a rational basis for certain religious beliefs. His focus is on widely held Christian beliefs, although much of what he says applies also to other religious traditions. Purtill assesses the common objections to religious belief the claims that religious tenets are nonsensical, wishful thinking, the result of gullibility, immoral, or refuted by modern discoveries. Then he considers the arguments in favor of Christian belief by studying the nature of faith, of the universe, of morality, of happiness, and the world with God in it. He also scrutinizes certain beliefs involving claims of Christian revelation — the credentials of revelation, the idea of God, Jesus as God's Son, organized religion, and the last things (death, judgment, heaven and hell). The two appendices tackle the Christian doctrine of the Atonement and the influence of certain Christian writers on the revival of Christian belief in the 20th century. An updated For Further Reading section is included. Reason to Believe is not a work of revealed theology or religious devotion; it is a highly readable book on the philosophy of religion, aimed at the reader who wants to think seriously about religion but who doesn't know all the philosophers' and theologians' jargon and who may or may not be a committed believer.

How We Believe

How We Believe PDF Author: Michael Shermer
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 071674161X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 370

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Book Description
Recent polls report that 96% of Americans believe in God. Why is this? Why, despite the rise of science, technology, and secular education, are people turning to religion in greater numbers than ever before? Why do people believe in God at all?

Choose to Believe

Choose to Believe PDF Author: Alan Tutt
Publisher: Powerkeys Publishing
ISBN: 9780979672644
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
In this book, author Alan Tutt gives you EVERYTHING you need to understand the Power of Belief and put it into ACTION in your life. You'll get hundreds of references to scientific studies which have PROVEN that our beliefs have a tremendous impact on the events in our lives. You'll also get a complete bibliography (list of other books) to get more information if you feel you need it. Alan also explains, in minute detail, why the connection between our beliefs and reality is not as obvious as you'd think it should be. Once you understand a concept Alan calls the "Belief Hierarchy," it all makes sense. Of course, understanding WHY the Power of Belief works is only part of the solution. Knowing HOW to use it is where the real results begin. You'll learn about a remarkable way to actually MEASURE the strength of any belief you current have, and several lists of questions to use to map our your current belief system. Once you know where you are now, you'll have an easy time figuring out how to get to where you want to be. In fact, Alan Tutt shows you 3 different ways to discover what you currently believe. One way, a process he calls "Belief Archeology," will uncover hidden beliefs behind specific issues, and will show you exactly how to map out your transformation process. From here, "Choose To Believe" gives you over a dozen practical, easy to use, techniques to change any belief. If you wanted, you could convince yourself that 2+2=6, but that probably wouldn't be very useful. Changing some of your beliefs may at first seem just as outlandish, such as believing that money can come out of nowhere, or that loving relationships "just happen." And to give you a COMPLETE system, Alan also shows you how to get the most dramatic results with the least amount of time and effort. In fact, as several of the case studies in the book show, you can change major beliefs with a simple decision to do so. And yes, he shows you HOW. You really CAN have it all, when you CHOOSE TO BELIEVE!

Savy Wisdom

Savy Wisdom PDF Author: Peggy McColl
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781989756928
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description
We're all faced with challenges in our lives which in the moment often seem unsurmountable and hopeless. That was the case for Sophie, a high school student who found herself sitting on a park bench one torturous autumn day, ready to end her life and her struggle. In Sophie's moment of truth, a stranger suddenly appeared next to her, offering his handkerchief which was embroidered with these words: "If you want your life to change, you must change." Little did she know the adventure she was about to embark upon as a young woman, inspired by a mysterious man who called himself Savy. Page by page, Sophie discovers more and more about who she truly is, unmasking the illusion of her false identity and limitations, paving her road to endless love, abundance and a life beyond her wildest dreams. You'll find that this book is a fun and suspenseful parable based on real-life events that inspires you to move from victim to victor with actionable takeaways for the betterment of your life. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SAVY WISDOM-------------------------"I just love this book." Bob ProctorStar of The Secret and Author of You Were Born Rich"Savy wisdom by Peggy McColl made such an impact on my mind - the story - the invaluable personaldevelopment lessons that you can apply - and the ending... I was brought to tears and moved in a way I've never been moved by a book before; and you will too!" Anders Hansen"Savy Wisdom is a compelling and inspiring story with amazing life lessons that leave you with hope, wisdomand light. There's a twist in the story that gave me plenty of goosebumps! It confirmed my belief that youmeet people for a reason, like a fortunate stroke of serendipity. I loved it!" L.L. TremblayBest-Selling Author of "Seven Roses""What I loved most about Savy Wisdom is that when I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I look forwardto adapting this book into a screenplay. It's really great!" Phillip GoldfineAcademy Award Winning Hollywood Producer"Peggy has done it again! Another book packed with insights and wisdom beyond the norm. I started to readit and couldn't put it down! It was so fascinating I couldn't wait to see what happened next! Thank youPeggy for yet another valuable book!" Jayne Lowell"Savy Wisdom is the kind of book I love to read. I believe this is your best book yet. I had total goosebumps at the end of the book as well. Great job!" Brian Proctor"Put Savy Wisdom at the TOP of your must-read list! It's powerful page-turner that takes you on anunforgettable journey. Thank you Peggy!" Selin Bilgin"Inspiring. Let Savy Wisdom be your guide and light at the end of a tunnel during times of adversity. It was forme and I know it will be for you too." Eric Webb"Some people love reading for entertainment and to escape their daily life, while others read so that they canlearn, grow and go deep within themselves. Savy Wisdom is an amazing story, because it delivers anexperience that includes all of the above and more. You will love this book but beware: Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down." Trace Haskins