How Religion Evolved: And Why It Endures (Pelican Books)
By: Robin Dunbar
-
Rs 2,035.75
- Rs 2,395.00
- 15%
You save Rs 359.25.
Due to constant currency fluctuation, prices are subject to change with or without notice.
When did humans develop spiritual thought? What is religion's evolutionary purpose? And in our increasingly secular world, why has it endured? Every society in the history of humanity has lived with religion. In How Religion Evolved, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar tracks its origins back to what he terms the 'mystical stance' - the aspect of human psychology that predisposes us to believe in a transcendent world, and which makes an encounter with the spiritual possible. As he explores world religions and their many derivatives, as well as religions of experience practised by hunter-gatherer societies since time immemorial, Dunbar argues that this instinct is not a peculiar human quirk, an aberration on our otherwise efficient evolutionary journey. Rather, religion confers an advantage: it can benefit our individual health and wellbeing, but, more importantly, it fosters social bonding at large scale, helping hold fractious societies together. Dunbar suggests these dimensions might provide the basis for an overarching theory for why and how humans are religious, and so help unify the myriad strands that currently populate this field. Drawing on path-breaking research, clinical case studies and fieldwork from around the globe, as well as stories of charismatic cult leaders, mysterious sects and lost faiths, How Religion Evolved offers a fascinating and far-reaching analysis of this quintessentially human impulse - to believe.
Publication Date:
30/05/2023
Number of Pages::
352
Binding:
Paper Back
ISBN:
9780241431795
Publisher Date:
30/05/2023
Number of Pages::
352
Binding:
Paper Back
ISBN:
9780241431795
When did humans develop spiritual thought? What is religion's evolutionary purpose? And in our increasingly secular world, why has it endured? Every society in the history of humanity has lived with religion. In How Religion Evolved, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar tracks its origins back to what he terms the 'mystical stance' - the aspect of human psychology that predisposes us to believe in a transcendent world, and which makes an encounter with the spiritual possible. As he explores world religions and their many derivatives, as well as religions of experience practised by hunter-gatherer societies since time immemorial, Dunbar argues that this instinct is not a peculiar human quirk, an aberration on our otherwise efficient evolutionary journey. Rather, religion confers an advantage: it can benefit our individual health and wellbeing, but, more importantly, it fosters social bonding at large scale, helping hold fractious societies together. Dunbar suggests these dimensions might provide the basis for an overarching theory for why and how humans are religious, and so help unify the myriad strands that currently populate this field. Drawing on path-breaking research, clinical case studies and fieldwork from around the globe, as well as stories of charismatic cult leaders, mysterious sects and lost faiths, How Religion Evolved offers a fascinating and far-reaching analysis of this quintessentially human impulse - to believe.
Children's Books
View AllLove Theoretically - From the Bestselling Author of the Love Hypothesis
By: Ali Hazelwood
Rs 2,245.50
Rs 2,495.00
NEW
-10%
Tiara Club At Ruby Mansions # 4: Princess Olivia And The Velvet Cape
By: Vivian French
Rs 195.00
Rs 325.00
NEW
-40%
DC Comics Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC
By: DK
Rs 5,095.75
Rs 5,995.00
NEW
-15%
The LEGO Book of Bedtime Builds: With Bricks to Build 8 Mini Models
By: Tori Kosara
Rs 2,970.75
Rs 3,495.00
NEW
-15%
NEW
-30%